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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

| ■ | 

! UNITED STATES OF AMERICA* 



GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



COUNTY OF WINNEBAGO 



WITS INTERESTING INCIDENT3 AMONG THE ABORIGINES AN3D 
PIONEER SETTLERS ; 

WITH 

TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS. 

TO WHICH 13 PREFIXED A GENEBAL VIEW O? THE 

STATE OF WISCONSIN, 



TOGETHER WITH A CENSUS TABLE FROM ITS FIRST SETTLE 
TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



ed by mahtin: FOSEPH H. OSBOEN . 

* \ * 



GSHKOSH: 

PRINTED E¥ M1TCHEL & SMITH 




185C. 



f« 






«J»?aF A- CJWWXX.L, 

Printer, OskkoiJi 



PREFACE 



When we look upon the broad expanse of a mighty River, 
after contemplating its width and depth and the velocity of 
its current, which pours its world of waters into the bosom- of 
the great deep, the mind naturally floats up the majestic 
stream in search of the great fountain whence it flows. 

When we traverse an ancient empire and behold its walls, 
its pyramids and other products of almost infinite labor away 
back in the darkness of unrecorded time, the mind wanders 
up the current of past ages, until inquiry burdens the imagina- 
tion with countless questions: demanding when, by whom, 
and for what purpose these prodigies of human skill and in- 
dustry were performed. We carefully trace the broad river 
through all its windings, from its influx to the ocean to its 
farthest mountain stream and remotest headspring, and in- 
stead of a mighty kingdom of overflowicg waters, disgorging 
a perpetual flood, we find, far up some ragged mountain, a 
cleft rock, weeping a pearly stream, no bigger than an ox 
might drink; and deep in some tangled dell a spring boils up, 
whose modest stream, half hid by moss or leaves, struggles 
for the association of its affinities, till it meets its mountain 
sister. United they rush on with redoubled energy to meet 
in kind embrace ten thousand thousand sister streams, which, 
from as many sources, find their devious ways to meet and 
form this mighty river. 

If the history of a nation could be as accurately traced 
through the course of time, as the channels of a river, we 
should find their head spring and fountain source in some se- 
cluded dell in a vast wilderness, where a few solitary individ- 
uals, like the far off mountain spring, unknown to the great 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

•world, were silently cutting a channel for a population to> 
flood the country. The pioneers, or headsprings of civiliza- 
tion, more transitory and evanescent than the gurgling brook 
or silent rill, in almost every nation have passed away unno- 
ticed and unknown; with no historic stone to mark the scene 
of an embryo world for actual life, or tell the names of those 
who felt its travail throes. 

To erect some humble, but enduring monument at the birth- 
place of civilization in the County of Winnebago; to notice 
its progress, some of its obstructions and conquests, in its early 
struggles to become part of the broad flowing stream of hu- 
manity in Wisconsin; and to place in the annals of history the 
names of some of the heroic pioneers through whose energies 
the recent hunting grounds have been reduced to fruitful fur- 
row-fields, the wigwam exchanged for elegant dwellings, 
marts of trade, seminaries of learning and houses of worship, 
is the prime object of the following pages; while, as a secon- 
dary consideration, we would spread a truthful picture of the 
natural advantages, unrivalled prosperity and hopeful pros- 
pects of this section of the Great West; that those of less fa- 
vored regions, who are seeking the advantages of a new field 
of enterprize, may have something better than vague and 
uncertain report to direct them in their search for a new home. 
And while the design of this work is to give in a truthful 
manner, a description of the County of Winnebago, it seems 
but just, to give a brief sketch of the great State cf which 
Winnebago County is a small, but " 

The immense resources of the Great V, 
ture of its climate, ihe variety and fertility 
mirabl imerce and its rapid progress in im- 

provements, population and wealth, hi a a subject 

of deep interest to the older States and to Eur< 

For several of the preceding years, the troubled state cf 
Europe, and shortened crops in the Eastern States, have 
made the West more conspicuous, as the granary of the 



INTRODUCTION. b 

world, than ever before, and placed Wisconsin in the front 
rank of the first column of the bread-supplying States. 
A deep interest has been awakened in the mind of the agri- 
culturist, the mechanic, the speculator, the scholar, the states- 
man, the patriot and the philanthropist. Active enquiry and 
investigation demand reliable information upon a subject of 
so vast importance as the sources of wealth in Wisconsin. 
Multitudes arc visiting, and will continue to visit the State to 
select for themselves a location, congenial to their taste, and 
favorable to the interests of their several vocations. To aid 
tho traveler in the pursuit of his object, we have given a brief 
sketch descriptive of each county, showing where govern- 
ment land, timber, or minerals may be found; the present and 
prospective condition of the various sections; and such other 
information as we deemed valuable to the stranger who wishes 
an accurate statement of the present condition of Wisconsin 
in a condensed form. If the work shall prove an actual ben- 
efit to our country and our race, we shall rejoice that we have 
performed the labor. 



WISCONSIN. 



The State of Wisconsin lies between 42° 30' and 47° N. 
latitude, and between 87° and 92° 30' W. longitude, and is 
bounded on the North by Lake Superior; N. E. by the north- 
ern Peninsular of Michigan, separated by a line drawn from 
the head waters of the Brule, to the Montreal River; on 
the East by Lake Michigan; on the South by Illinois; and 
on the West by Iowa and the Territory of Minnesota. It is 
estimated to contain about thirty-four and a half Millions 
of acres. 

Entirely destitute of lofty mountains, its general surface is 
rolling; giving to its streams a good current, but seldom de- 
lighting the eye with cascades. The most hilly part of the 
State which has been surveyed, and the nearest approach to 
mountains are the bluffs of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Riv- 
ers, which rise several hundred feet above the waters that 
glide beneath them. The general surface of the State is 
about 800 feet above the level of the ocean. In the region 
of Lake Superior, the streams are short and precipitous; 
the declevity being more abrupt than in any other part of the 
State. The soil is generally excellent; not inferior, as a 
whole to any State in the Union. With the exception of the 
pineries and the mineral region of Lake Superior, it would 
be difficult finding an equal amount of natural facilities and 
advantages for agriculture. Three grand divisions are clearly 
marked in the State: Prairie, Opejiing, and Timber land. 
The prairies predominate in the southern part of the State, 
and are also abundant in the West approaching to Minnesota. 
The heavy timbered lands lie along the west shore of Lake 
Michigan, in the counties of Milwaukee, Washington, 
Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Keewaunee, Door and 
part of the counties of Calument, Fond du Lac and Waukesha. 
The timber comprises Hickory, Black Walnut, Bass, Oak, 
Beach and Maple, interspersed with Pine in Sheboygan. 
and Pine and Hemlock in all the counties north. Black Marl 



8 WISCONSIN. 

predominates in the lower timber and prairie lands; loam in 
the openings, and rolling prairies; and by turns, almost every 
variety in the upland hea vy timber in the northern part of the 
State. Throughout the State the streams, of water are more 
sss fringed with timber. That a geographic sketeh of 
any section of country should serve the purpose of utility by 
instructing the understanding of the reader, it is indispensably 
sary that it should be so drawn as to give a correct 
idea of its connexion with, and relation, to other locations 
of which the reader has some previous knowledge; otherwise 
it would be like an attempt to describe some definite por- 
tion of infinite space, an abortive labor. So also of history; 
whether of a nation, a particular section, or an individual 
we must be instructed of the influences of surrounding circum- 
stances, or we gain no full knowledge of the subject of such 
history. And as the object and design of tins work is "to 
gather from still living witnesses and preserve for the future 
unnalist, the important record of the romantic and teeming 
past; to seize, while yet warm and glowing, and inscribe upon 
the page which shall be sought hereafter, the bright visions 
of song, and fair images of story, that gild the gloom and 
lighten the sorrows of the ever fleeing j^'esent; to search all 
history with a careful eye; sound all philosophy with a eare- 
tul hand; question all experience with a fearless tongue, and 
thence draw lessons to fit us for, and light to guide us through 
the shadowy, but unknown future." 

To enable us, as near as possible to approximate to this 
grand object, and to place the county of Winnebago in a clear 
and comprehensive light; it Avill be necessary that we first 
invite the attention of the reader to . a general, but brief de- 
scription of the State of Wisconsin; that having viewed the 
whole, he may be the better prepared to judge of the past, 
particularly presented for his consideration. The natural 
wealth of Wisconsin consists in its mines, fisheries, forests, 
and last, yet far above all, the inexhaustible treasure of fertil- 
ity in its soil; which in connexion with other advantages has 
already made it one of the great producing States. The sa- 
lubrity of its atmosphere and purity of its waters, so congenial 
to health give it a preference in the mind of the emigrant to 
locations of the greatest fertility which are not thus favored. 
AH the products common to temperate climates are success- 



WISCONSIN. 9 

fully cultivated in Wisconsin. The natural pasturage of the 
prairies, marshes, openings and woodlands constitute it a 
perfect grazing country; and enables the new settler to keep 
ad much stock as his business or necessities require, without 
cost (except the curing) of hay for winter, which the marshes 
supply in abundance. Much good stock may now he found, 
whore the country has been settled for six or eight years; 
and wool-growing is becoming a prominent business with 
many farmers. In the southern part of the State corn is 
produced with very little cost. But wheat is the great staple 
grain of Wisconsin; of which it exported in 1855 more than 
four millions of bushels, of a quality surpassing that 
of other Western States; that of the northern being esteemed 
better than that of the southern part of the .State. No 
part of the Great West offers a more inviting field of enter- 
han Wisconsin. No other State possesses so many nat- 
ural advantages without greater drawbacks; and no other 
State can boast of equal prosperity and success for the last 
five years; and yet, but a mere fraction of her agricultural 
resources have been developed. Her almost boundless forests 
of -pine are only beginning to be brought into market; her 
inexhaustible mines of lead, copper and iron are beyond the 
power of computation; and the fisheries of Lake Superior and 
Michigan have but just commenced to be known as a source 
of wealth. 

To avoid the danger of a simple statement of facts bein^ 
received by strangers as the romance of imagination, we shall 
occasionally present tables of various articles of Wisconsin 
growth and manufacture from the Lake ports, which amounted 
in 1855 to more than eighteen millions of dollars — a sum, 
which considering the infancy of the State, and that as a 
general rule, the settlers in Wisconsin were men who weie 
not able to purchase land in the older States, speaks well 
for its resources and the energy of its people. 

Great inconvenience is experienced in most of the Western 
States for the want of lumber. Wisconsin has an abundant 
supply. North of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers the land is 
more broken and hilly; much of which is covered with a lux- 
urious growth of pine; the quantity manufactured from the 
various regions or lumbering points in 1854, was estimated as 
follows: 



10 WISCONSIN. 

Black River, 48,000,000 

Chippewa, 60,000,000 

Green Bay and Oconto, 100,000,000 

Manitowoc, 35,000,000 

St. Croix, 70,000,000 

Red Cedar River, 20,000,000 

Wisconsin, 125,000,000 

Wolf River, 40,000,000 

Total, 498,000,000 

This estimation did not include the amount floated down 
the Wolf into the Fox River and thence into Lake Winneba- 
go. Not less than thirty steam mills along the shores of this 
River and Lake are constantly supplied from this source; and 
several millions are annually carried by Rail Road from the 
head of the Lake to Rock River and thence floated to a south- 
ern market. There are also numerous mills scattered over 
other sections, from which no statistics have been obtained, 
which, in all, would warrant the manufacture in the State as 
high as five hundred and fifty millions of feet in 1854. since 
which time the business has increased at least 50 ¥ cent. 
Shingles, lath, staves, posts &c., are not included in this esti- 
mate. We shall have occasion to speak more particularly of 
the pine which comes into Fox River in connexion with the 
county of Winnebago. 



Wisconsin, 13 



POPULATION OF WISCONSIN. 



The increase of population, and progress in wealth ami 
improvements, of an agricultural district for a series of years, 
is always the most reliable source of information, from which 
to draw conclusions, and strike a just ballance between the 
aggregates of advantages and disadvantages of a new coun- 
try with which we were not personally acquainted. To sup- 
ply this source of information and make it as perfect as pos- 
sible, with great care we have copied every enumeration 
which can be found upon the official records of Wisconsin. 
The reader will be able to judge for himself whether sterility, 
dearth or disease have ever materially retarded the growth of 
Wisconsin. 

It will be remembered that all the enumerations . prior to 
1836 were made as part of Michigan Territory. Twenty 
years ago, this beautiful State was almost an unbroken wil- 
derness, with less than twelve thousand inhabitants, scattered 
upon its broad surface; and these mostly adventurers, seeking 
the advantages of trafic with the Indians, and other fortuiti- 
ous circumstances which might occur in the romantic scenes 
of the almost unexplored regions of the "Great West.'' In 
less than twenty years the population becomes more than 
half a million. Indian villages have given place to populous 
cities; the Indian t ied under the track of the Kail- 

road; the wigwag 3 room for the stately farm house; 

and for th 

have been the broad fields, who asure 

has suppl famishing East. From 1850 

to 1855 tin acrease of about Two Hundred 

and Fifty The cs for travel, a bet- 

ter knowledge of the West, together with the unusual hard 
seasons at the East, have all contributed to give a more rapid 
increase to the population of Wisconsin for the past year, than 
at any former period. 



14 



WISCONSIN. 



CENSUS OF WISCONSIN FROM 1820 TO 1855. 



CODNTIE8. 


1820 | 1830 | 1834 


183f, 


1838 


1840 


1842 


1846 | 1847 


1850 


1855 




| .. . . 


|. . . . 












. ..187 


6.868 






1 . . . 
















4,823 


Brown .... 


952 


964 


1,957 


2,7.,C| 13,048 


2,107 


2,146 


2,662 


2,914 


6.223 


6,699 


Buffalo .... 






















832 


Calumet . . . 












275 


407 


836 


1,060 


1,746 


3,631 






















615 


3,638 
836 


Clark 






















Columbia . . . 
















1,969 


3,791 


9,565 


17,965 


Crawford . . . 


492 


692 


810 


1,220 


850 


1,503 


1,449 


1,444 


1,409 


2,399 


3 323 












172 
18 


314 
67 


776 
149 


8,289 
7,787 


10,935 
14,905 


16,654 
19.14 


37,714 


Dodge .... 










34,540 
























739 
























385 
























1,550 














139 

3,926 

930 


295 
5,937 
1,594 


3,544 

12,034 

4,758 


7,459 
11,720 
6,4S7 


14,512 
16,169 
8,583 


24,784 
23,175 












2,763 

494 

5,234 












14,727 
15,205 

1,098 
26,869 

1,109 
12,307 
























Jefferson . . . 










463 












Kenosha . . . 




















10,730 


La Crosse . . . 






















3,904 


La Fayette . . 






















16,064 


La Points.. . 

Manitowoc . . 












*235 


'2G3 


"*629 


364 
1,285 


595 

3,712 

466 


417 

13,04tf 

1,447 

14,873 

46,265 


Marquette . . 

Milwaukee . . 








2,892 


3,131 


5.60a 


9,565 


15,922 


22,791 


8,642 
31,119 


Oconto .... 






















1,501 


Outagamie . . 























4,914 


Ozaukee . . . 
Pierce .... 






















12,973 
1,720 


Polk 






















547 


Portage 












1,623 


646 


931 


1,504 


1,267 


5,151 


Racine .... 










2,054 


3,475 


6,318 


17,983 


19,238 


14,971 

903 

30,717 


20,673 
5,584 
31,364 


Ruck 












1,701 


2.867 


12,405 


14,720 


Hu Croix . . . 






















2,0,0 


Sauk 












102 


393 


1,003 


2,178 


4,372 


13,614 


Shawauno.. . 






















254 


Sheboygan . . 












133 


227 


1,637 


5,580 


8,386 


20,391 


Trempeleau . 






















493 


Walworth.. . 










1,019 


2,611 


4,618 


13,439 


15,039 


17,866 


22,662 


Washington . 


• . . . 










343 


965 


7,473 


15,447 


19,476 


18,897 


Waukesha, . . 
















13,793 


15,866 


19,324 


24,012 


Waupacca.. . 






















4,437 


Waushara.. . 
Winnebago . 












'135 


' ' 143 


'*732 


'2,748 


10,167 


5,541 
17,439 













Total |1,444| 3,245|5,400 |ll,618 |18,130| 30945| 44478|155277,210546|305566|552109 



This population is spread over fifty counties, into whi *h the 
State is divided as follows: 



WISCONSIN. 15 

Adams — Lies on the Wisconsin, and is watered by the 
Lemonwier and other rivers. Springs and small streams are 
abundant; has as good land for agricultural purposes as in 
any part of the State; warm, quick and extremely productive. 
Openings predominate, yet there are many dense forests; 
some excellent pine. Population 6,407, and rapidly increas- 
ing. Here is much excellent land, yet subject to entry at 
government price. Germantown is the County Seat. Maus- 
ton is the largest village in the county. Quincy, Cascade, 
Dell Prairie, Neceda, Dustin's Mills, and Wauceda are new 
and prosperous villages. The La Crosse and Milwaukee Kail 
Road passes through this county. 

Bad Ax — Is one of the best of counties, notwithstanding 
its ridiculous name, — which should be exchanged for a better 
one — lies on the Mississippi River, well watered, good water- 
power; prairie, interspersed with fine timber-land; some good 
pine. Viroqua, the county seat, is situated in a beautiful 
grove. Springvale and Towerville have each excellent flouring 
mills. Population 4,823, with a great increase for the last year. 

Brown — Was originally one of the three counties in this 
State and embraced all the State North of Milwaukee, and 
East of Wisconsin River, but is now reduced to one of the 
smallest counties in Wisconsin. Green Bay, one of the most 
ancient settlements in the State is situated at the mouth of 
the lower Fox, the largest River in the State. The Fox Riv- 
er Improvement is giving to this place new life and importance. 

Buffalo — Lies on the Mississippi River at the mouth of the 
Chippewa; it is but thinly inhabited, but containing the best 
of land subject to entry or pre-emption is rapidly filling up 
with enterprizing settlers. Well watered and offers superior 
advantages to locate a desirable homestead at $1,25 per acre. 
It is in the La Crosse land district and entries can be made 
only at that place. Waumandee City is the county seat fifty 
miles up the river from La Crosse. 

Calumet — Is generally covered with a heavy growth of 
hard timber with a little pine in the north eastern part; lies 
on the east side of Lake Winnebago; is the residence of the 
remnants of the Stockbridge and Brothertown Indians which 
has materially retarded its progress; has a fertile soil and well 
watered. Population 3,633. Has increased very rapidly the 
past year. 



16 WISCONSIN. 

Chippewa — This county in the northern part of the State 
is 91 miles long and 66 miles wide, a small part only has been 
surveyed and brought into market. In this county is agricul- 
tural land of an excellent quality, and one of the most valua- 
ble pineries in the State. Here is abundance of land subject 
to entry, oifering to the hardy woodsman the most inviting 
prospects. There are several mills in constant operation; one 
at Chippewa Falls which cuts daily about 60,000 feet and 
employs 400 men to supply, manufacture, market the lum- 
ber, &c. 

Columbia — Is situated nearly in the center of the popula- 
ted part of the State, lies on the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers. 
Nearly the whole of the county is rolling prairies; good soil, 
well watered, but deficient in timber. Land all entered al- 
most as soon as it- was in market. County seat Portage City; 
at this place the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers are two miles 
apart, but connected by a canal. The La Crosse and Milwau- 
kee and the Milwaukee and Watertown Railroads will soon 
pass through this county. The Wisconsin Central Road has 
its northern terminus at Portage. The population of this 
county in 1850 was 9,565; in 1855 17,960 ; increase in five 
years 8,395. 

Crawford — County formerly embraced all of the State. 
north of the Wisconsin River, but has been whittled and 
l down to a small territory, lying in the angle made by 
the Wisconsin and Kickapoo passing through Its center. The 
county seat is at the old military post "Prairie (\n Chien," a 
beautiful location on the Mississippi River. The county is 
well watered and :-n excellent soil; has a good pinery on the 
Kickapoo. Abundance of h have been 

found with very little • and 

sippi Ra 

7 advan;' Much good government land can 

jQt be found In 

Clark — County 
and has but fev. ermen; has a vast forest 

■:-.ch good farmi ' which may yet be en- 

tered at government price. A flouring mill on Black River 
at Weston's Rapids, where the road passes from Steven's 
Point to Hudson. 



WISCONSIN. 17 

Dane. — This county is in the southern part of the State, 
about half way between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi 
River. One of the best agricultural counties in the State. 
Rolling prairie and openings. Madison is the county seat and 
the Capitol of the State; possesses much wealth and beauty. 
In 1850 the population of this county was 16,689. In 1855 
37,714, and still increasing with greet rapidity. 

Door — Is a narrow strip lying between Green Bay and 
Lake/Michigan, with very few inhabitants. Much of the land 
is said to be good; government land, by the graduating act is 
here but fifty cents per acre, and is now rapidly being taken 
by actual settlers. Here is some good pine. Some of the 
Islands are in this county. The principal settlement is Wash- 
ington Harbor on Washington Island, opposite Green Bay. 

Dodge — Is one of the first class for agriculture. Its 
surface is moderately rolling, diversified with prairies, open- 
ings and some heavy wood lands; with a good supply of wa- 
ter-power. Iron Ridge is a vast accumulation of rich iron 
ore, which is just beginning to be extensively manufactured; 
farms are valuable. Juneau is the county seat. Beaver Dam, 
Horicon and Fox Lake are fine villages, rapidly improving. 
Two Wards of the city of Watertown are in Dodge county, 
the other three are in Jefferson. Population of the county 
34,054. Well supplied with Railroads. 

Douglas. — This county lies on the shore of Lake Superior; 
was set off from La Pointe in 1854. Only a small share has 
been surveyed and brought into market. This is on the north 
line of the State, yet the winters are represented very mild. 
The first settlement was made at Superior, in 1853, and in 
1855 there was a population of 700. This will undoubtedly 
become a place of great importance in a very short time; 
those who are willing to isolate themselves from the old world 
for a few years for the sake of making a fortune, here find a 
promising and romantic field. The land abounds with miner- 
al wealth and the waters with fish. It is the head of the 
long line of lake navigation; and will ere long be in connec- 
tion with the Atlantic cities by continuous Railroads. Lauds 
can now be entered at government price. Forest game is , 
abundant. 

B 



13 WISCONSIN. 

Dtjnn — Is a new county lying on the Chippewa River 
about fifty miles from the Mississippi; has but few settlers 
though the soil is excellent and well watered, with some tim- 
ber and hard wood, sufficient for fuel and fences. Its resource* 
are yet undeveloped, the lands not entered. 

Fond du Lac County has a population of 25,085. As wo 
have published a history of this county Ave refer the reader to 
that work. 

Grant. — This County is in the southwest corner of the 
State, and one o{ the oldest settlements. Its mineral wealth 
attracted its early settlement, although the fertility of its soil 
is not surpassed by any other county, yet its distance from 
market has checked the progress of agriculture beyond the 
necessities of a home market and kept lands cheap. Great 
Quantities of lead are found and manufactured here. There 
is yet in the northern part of the county excellent government 
land, which, by the graduation lav/ is now reduced to fifty- 
cents per acre. The low price of land, the excellence of the 
soil, the approach of Railroads and the advanced price of 
produce have all tended to increase the population for the 
list two years. Farmers who want desirable homesteads can 
make great profits by purchasing in this county. Population 
in 1850 16,196, in 1855 23,l;J0. 

Green — Is an agricultural county in the south part of the 
State, bordering on Illinois. Its good lands are all taken and 
becoming sources of wealth, it has some timber lands though 
prairies predominate; its waterpowers are generally improved. 
Population 14.715. Monroe is the county seat, with a popu- 
lation of 2,120. 

Iowa — Is a very rich county, both in soil and minerals. 
Copper and lead are abundant, and what is not common in 
mineral regions, the soil is of the best quality. Well watered, 
convenient to Railroads, and yet some good government land 
to be had. Mineral Point is the oldest settlement and has 
smelting works for lead and copper. It is the central point 
for mineral operations. Population 14,440. 

Jackson County is situated on the Black River about 
twenty-five miles from the Mississippi. The northern part of 
this county is richly supplied with fine timber, and the south- 
ern part is mostly prairie of the best quality. Has abundance 



WISCONSIN. 19 

of rich iron ore and good waterpower, and is rapidly settling. 
A vast amount of lumber is floated down Black River. Iron 
works of various kinds in process of erection. The lands are 
not all entered. 

Jefferson County has hut a small share of prairie, hav- 
ing openings and a small amount of timber land; supplies a 
good amount of timber. It lies on Rock River, which, with 
its branches, furnish good waterpower. It is a rich and 
beautiful county. Watertown is the principal place, but there 
are several large and flourishing villages, with all the conven- 
iences and elegances of wealth. Railroads supply the county 
with an easy transportation of their products. Lands are high. 
Population in 1850 15,000, in 1855 26,866. 

KENOSHA — Is in the south-east corner of the State, on 
Lake Michigan; one of the oldest counties in the State, near- 
ly all prairie, and in a high state of cultivation, all necessary 
improvements to make land truly valuable. Population 
12,373. 

Kewaunee — Extends from Lake Michigan to Green Bay; 
has but few inhabitants whose business is principally lumber- 
ing. Here is plently of government land and generally very 
good, though being heavily timbered it is not so easy for 
beginners. 

Lacrosse — Lies upon the Mississippi and Black Rivers, is 
to be the terminus of the Lacrosse and Milwaukee Railroad, 
reaps advantages from the vast pinery on Black River, has 
good farming land and is reputed very healthy. These com- 
bined advantages have attracted great attention for the past 
two years, and much of the land has been taken, yet some 
good government land can be found. 

Lafayette County is in the mineral region and its mines 
have engrossed almost the entire energies of the people; the 
soil is rich and inviting but has been neglected for the more 
uncertain business of mining; but the stimulus which has be- 
come so general in the State for agriculture has began to op- 
erate in Lafayette county. The Population is uoav 16,000 
and is fast increasing. The Mineral Point and Southern 
Wisconsin Railroad passes through this county. 

La Pojnte County is a tract of wilderness about fifty -four 
miles square on Lake Superior and a group of Islands called 



20 WISCONSIN. 

the "Twelve Apostles." It lias not been surveyed, and very 
little is known of it only that it abounds with timber, is sup- 
posed to contain minerals and has an excellent fishery. 

Marathon — Extends from Lake Michigan south to Towns 
26 and 27 a distance of 128 miles, in its greatest width it is 
42 miles; partly surveyed and begins to open a field for lum- 
bering. The great part of this tract is yet owned by the gov- 
ernment and like the rest of the lumber regions its principal 
value is in its prime, 

Marquette. — This is a beautiful agricultural county lying 
along the Fox River; prairie, openings and woodland, well 
watered and has water power. Some of the most delightful 
farms in the State may be found, in this county. The best 
lands are all entered and rapidly coming under cultivation. 
[n 1850 the population was 8,642, since that time Waushara 
county has been set off from it and its population thus dimin- 
ished was in 1855 14,824. The Railroad from Horicon will 
soon reach Berlin in this county. 

Manitowoc — On the shore of Lake Michigan about eighty 
miles north of Milwaukee, good land, well watered and tim- 
bered, harbor at the mouth of Manitowoc River; is rapidly 
increasing in business and population. A Railroad is now in 
progress of building from this place to Menasha. Population 
13,050. 

Monroe County was set off from Lacrosse in 1854, is yet 
•almost an entire wilderness of oak opening and pine groves; 
the soil is generally light, but quick, warm and productive; 
watered by the Lacrosse and Lemonweir rivers, principally 
government land, many choice selections can yet be had. 
Here are also some of the best pine groves in the State. Pop- 
ulation 2,151. 

Milwaukee — Is too generally known to require a notice 
in this work. Its population is 46,027. 

Oconto — Is one of those almost limitless, unsurveyed and 
unexplored counties of timber, and inferior soil, lying along 
Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Lumbermen can make good 
investments here. Population 1,502. 

Outagamie — Lies on the Wolf and Lower Fox Rivers, 
with the happy combination of navigable waters, the best 



WISCONSIN. 21 

water-power in the State, plenty of valuable timber, and an 
excellent soil. Appleton is its principal village and the loca- 
tion of Lawrence University one of the finest institutions in 
the State. The government land is not all taken, and the 
multiplied advantages are now drawing a crowd of settlers to 
this county. Population 4,940. 

Ozaukee — Is on the Lake shore, next north of Milwaukee; 
has but eight towns, cut into small farms, well cultivated, and 
of course lands are held at high prices. Population 12,977. 

Pierce — Is a new county on the Mississippi at the mouth 
of the St. Croix Hiver, the soil of part of this county is good 
and part covered with pine, plenty of water-power. Land 
mostly subject to entry. Population 1,548. 

Polk — Was cut off from the northern part of St. Croix, 
and comprises more than 2,500 square miles, has but a few 
ecattering inhabitants, has much good farming and timber 
lands subject to entry. Timber, prairie, and openings are 
beautifully interspersed in the southern part of the county. 
Trout and various kinds of fish are abundant in small lakes 
and streams. 

Portage — Is on the Wisconsin Hiver, several of its branch- 
es pass through it. Lumbering is its great business, pine is 
the prevailing timber, the soil generally light and sandy, yet 
there are glades of hardwood, sugar-maple &c, with strips of 
the very best of soil for agriculture, much of which is now 
being brought under cultivation. The great number of hands 
employed in the manufacture of lumber have hitherto been 
supplied from other regions. 

Racine — Lies on the lake, south of Milwaukee, a small 
county of excellent land, thickly settled, land in a high state 
of cultivation and very valuable. Population 20,667. 

Rock County lies on both sides of Rock River, is bounded 
by the State of Illinois south. Prairie and cpenings but no 
timber land; the soil very rich, but there is a lack of water 
in some parts of the county. The county is highly prosper- 
ous, farms well improved, productive and valuable. Railroads 
accommodate every part. Population 31,364. 

Richland — Lies on the north side of the Wisconsin River, 
1b but thinly settled, good soil, well watered and well timbered 
with maple, walnut, oak and pine, interspersed with rich 



22 WISCONSIN. 

prairies, the surface is rolling, the water pure and soft and 
abounds with fish. Much land remains to be entered. The 
line of the Milwaukee and Mississippi Ilailroad passes along 
the south line of this county. 

Sauk County is north and west of the Wisconsin river. 
The Baraboo passes through this county; north of which the 
soil is rich and well adapted to agriculture. On the south 
rise the Wisconsin bluffs, stony and precipitous. Forests, 
openings and prairies constitute the farming land, with pine 
up the Baraboo. There is much unsettled land in this county. 
The line of the Milwaukee and Lacrosse Railroad crosses this 
county. Population 13,044. 

Sheboygan — Lies on the Lake shore, fifty miles north of 
Milwaukee; is well timbered with walnut, maple, oak, beach 
and pine; good soil, mostly settled and productive; land is 
high. Population 20,391. 

Shawauno — Is mostly covered with pine timber, which is 
easily floated down Wolf river. The soil is a sandy loam 
and fertile, lying on an elevation above the river, is dry and 
warm. Here can yet be found good government laird; 

St. Croix — Has a gently rolling surface with all the varie- 
ties of soil. Prairie, openings, and forests of the various kinds 
of hardwood and good pine. It lies at the lower end of the 
St. Croix river, manufactures much lumber and is now attract- 
ing much attention. Population 2,040. 

Trempeleau — Was set off from Buffalo in 1854 and con- 
tains about twenty Townships of land of an excellent quali- 
ty for farming purposes, offering great inducements to immi- 
grants as the lands are now in market at government prices. 
It is watered by the Trempeleau and its branches, and boun- 
ded by the Mississippi and Black rivers. A few villages are 
springing up on the banks of these rivers. 

Washington — Lies a little back from Lake Michigan, 
twenty-five miles north of Milwaukee, heavily timbered; 
good soil; cut into small farms and well cultivated, principally 
by Germans and Irish. Population 18,897. 

Waupacca — Is new, but rapidly settling, lies on both side* 
of Wolf river, has prairie, openings, timber, hard and pine 
almost in every part of the county; an excellent soil and well 
watered. Steamboats pass through this county from Oshko*ii 
to New London. Plenty of government land. 



WISCONSIN. 



Waukesha — Joins Milwaukee on the west; an excellent 
agricultural county, with some watcrpower; was settled early 
and now has some of the best farms in the State. Popula- 
tion 24,012. 

Walworth — An excellent agricultural county, was settled 
early and has now all the conveniences and luxuries attend- 
ant upon industry and prosperity. Population 22,662. 

Waushara — Formerly known as the "Indian Lands" was 
set off from Marquette in 1851. The Fox river passes through 
one corner of this county; it possesses a good soil and offers 
strong inducements to immigrants in its fortunate combination 
of openings and timberland; well watered, with good water- 
power; a navigable river, and a rapidly approaching Railroad, 
and yet plenty of government land. Population 5,541. 



UNSURVEYED LANDS. 

Besides the lands which have been surveyed and brought 
into market there are large tracts yefe unsurveyed and almost 
unexplored, as very little is known of them except from the 
reports of Hunters and Indian traders. The amount of the 
unsurveyed land is estimated at about 14,500 square miles; 
principally lying in the northwesterly part of the State, and 
almost without inhabitannts, except the remnants of a few 
scattered tribes of Indians who make this their hunting 
grounds, although their titles are nearly all extinguished. 
These lands are reported to be covered with hemlock, spruce, 
interspersed with groves of pine, tamarack and cedar swamps 
and occasional ridges of great extent of hardwood, sugar-ma- 
ple being abundant; with plentiful springs and streams of pure- 
soft water, abounding with fish; the soil appears of an excel- 
lent quality. These ridges afford natural and convenient 
routes for roads at various distances through a large share of 
this region, and although this vast territory is at present es- 
teemed nearly worthless, the period may not be very remote 
when the now rapidly increasing population of the more 
southern and fertile soils, which are destitute of timber, will 
demand supplies from this vast wilderness. Minerals are 
presumed to exist in this broken region, yet all is matter of 
conjecture, and it must be the work of future generations to 
dipcover whatever resources it may possess. 



24 WISCONSIN. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT AND GOVERNMENT. 

The earliest known visitors from the civilized world to 
Wisconsin, was in October 1660, when Mesnard, with hb 
company of French Missionaries arrived at Ohe-goi-megon on 
Lake Superior. In 1672 Hlones and Dablon visited Green 
Bay and explored the country from the Fox river to the 
southern part of Lake Michigan. The next year Marquette, 
a Jesuit missionary with Joilet, an agent of the French gov- 
ernment, and five other Frenchmen, embarked from their 
mission, near Mackinac, on the 13th of May. They arrived 
at Green Bay, where they found an Indian settlement or vil- 
lage, and procured guides to conduct them up the Fox river 
to Portage on the Wisconsin, which they descended until 
they reached its mouth, on the 17th of June 1673. This was 
the first discovery of the Upper Mississippi river. 

The French claimed, and held the government of the ter- 
ritory until 1763, when at the treaty of Paris, it was ceded to 
Great Britain, who retained it until the Independence of tho 
United States was acknowledged by that country in 1783, 
when it was claimed by Virginia as a part of the Illinois 
country, conquered by Col. George Rogers Clark. Its pos- 
session was retained by Great Britain until 1796, when it was 
surrendered in accordance with Jay's treaty, ratified the pre- 
vious year. On the first of March, 1784 it was ceded by Vir- 
ginia to the United States. By the Ordinance of the 13th 
of July 1787, a government was provided for the Territoty 
northwest of the Ohio river, which Territory was divided into 
two separate governments, the western called Indiana, by an 
act passed May 7th 1800. An act dividing Indiana Territory 
and organizing Illinois was passed February 3d 1809. April 
18th 1818, an act of Congress authorizing the people of Illi- 
nois to form a State government, set off all that portion of tho 
Territory north of the parallel of latitude 42° 30' and west 
of the middle of Lake Michigan, to the Territory of Michigan, 
[n 1835 Michigan having assumed a State government on tho 
east side of the Lake, a session of the Territorial Legislature 
was convened at Green Bay. This was the first Legislative 
body which had ever assembled in Wisconsin. It did no bu- 
siness but pass some memorials to Congress. An act of 
Congress establishing a territorial government for Wisconsin 



WISCONSIN. 25 

was passed April 20th, 1836, and territory organized July 
4th of the same year. On the 12th of June, 1838, the Ter- 
ritory was divided, and that portion lying west of the Mississ- 
ippi organized into a new government named Iowa. 

The first legislative session after the full organization of 
Wisconsin, was held at Belmont, (now Lafayette Co.) Oct. 25, 
1836, the second in Burlington, (now in the State of Iowa,) 
Nov. 6th, 1837. At this session the seat of government was 
located at Madison, where the next session of the Legislature 
was held, Nov. 26th, 1838. Oct. 5th, 1846, a convention wa* 
held at Madison to propose a Constitution for a State govern- 
ment. This Constitution was rejected by the people at their 
election, the following April. A second convention was held 
December 16th, 1847, which prepared a Constitution, which 
was submitted to, and approved by the people, at the April 
election, and Wisconsin admitted into the union of sovereign 
States, May 20th, 1848. 

Although Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, so richly has in- 
dustry been rewarded with abundant and valuable crops, that 
Railroads have already sprung into existence and successful 
operation, in various directions, through nearly all the popu- 
lous counties, and like a resistless current, are stretching 
themselves through the newer counties to the Mississippi, 
westward, and through the vast forests, northwestward, to the 
copper mines and lake Superior. 

The traveler in Wisconsin will find abundant means of 
conveyance to enable him to visit any part of the State which 
is inhabited. Steamboats are continually running between all 
the ports on Lake Michigan and to Green Bay. From Fond- 
du-Lac to Neenah and Menasha on Lake Winnebago, and 
thence to Green Bay. From Oshkosh to Berlin on Fox 
river; from Oshkosh to New London, on the Wolf. From 
Green Bay up the Oconto. On the Mississippi the whole of 
its boundary length. On the St. Croix, as far up as the town 
of that name, and as many other streams for short distances 
as business requires. Large business towns not accessable by 
.Railroad or Steamboat, are frequently visited by eight, ten, 
or a dozen stages and express carriages per day. 

There are many plank roads in the State which serve a 
valuable purpose for a time ; leading from rich agricultural 



26 WISCONSIN. 

districts to port towns; can only serve the purpose of conven- 
ience for a brief period, and the ever increasing business de- 
mands that they give place to the iron rail and the steam 
engine. 

That the reader should obtain some just conception of the 
products of Wisconsin, he should first be informed that the 
vast amount of immigration to the unsettled lands in this 
State and in Minnesota absorbs the surplus produce of the 
frontier settlements for a large distance, and that we have 
no data for the amount of this home market, and then look 
at the exports from the different Lake towns, where table* 
are kept of nearly all that is shipped to a foreign market. 

In 1854 the shipments from the port of Racine of Wiscon- 
sin produce and manufacture as entered upon the books of 
collectors and other places of record, amounted in total value 
to $1,381,691. 

Kenosha, $1,710,337 

Milwaukee, 5,785,000 

Of which 2,052,319 bushels of wheat, and 155,651 barrels of 
flour formed a part. Five mills on the waterpower near the 
city made 100,000 barrels of the flour. The shipments, the 
same year, as near as can be ascertained, from 

Ozaukee, $160,000 

Sheboygan, 663,169 

Manitowoc, 880,270 

Green Bay, 194,435 

From the Bay shore of Lumber and Fish, 374,435 

These exports do not include any of the Copper or Lead 
of Wisconsin, the latter being principally shipped from Gale- 
na goes to the credit of Illinois, while in 1854 the amount 
from the Wisconsin mines A^as estimated at 15,000 tons. 

The Copper is shipped on Lake Superior, the value of 
which is great but we have no reliable data from which to 
estimate, but feel that it is safe to say the entire exports of 
Wisconsin, including lumber and metals, cannot fall short of 
$20,000,000. And this in a State, which, since the memory 
of young and vigorous men, had neither seed, field or plow, 
Bible or spelling-book. 



ilk, 

m 



iffh 




INDIAN CHIEF, OSHKOSH. 

7rom Daguerr«oty7>« by - . P. B 



wisooNsm. 



ANTIQUITIES. 

We borrow the following sketch from the Tribune. 
""Few subjects have a stronger claim on the people of th* 
West than the aboriginal remains scattered over the land. 
They constitute the only mementos and annals transmitted to 
us from the ancient races that once inhabited its broad prair- 
ies and dwelt on the rising shores of its beautiful lakes and 
rivers. 

To the liberality of the Smithsonian Institute, we are in- 
debted for a late publication, on the antiquities of Wisconsin, 
a work of merit, and preared with much research and care by 
T. A. Lapham. 

The antiquities described in the above publication are chief- 
ly earthworks, with occasional excavations — varying in figure, 
size and elevation. These are found in numerous localities, 
near the borders of the lakes, or on the margin of water-cours- 
es all over the State. It is curious to notice that they are 
chiefly found at points already selected as the most favorable 
sites for modern settlement, showing that the instincts of both 
civilized and uncivilized are alike attracted to those localities 
which combine at once the beautiful and the useful. 

In proceeding north on Lake Michigan, the first point 
noticeable for its remains, is a few miles south of the Wiscon- 
sin line, in Illinois, where are found some nine conical or 
round mounds from three to five feet in heighth, and about 
thirty feet in diameter. These are disposed in a serpentine 
row along the crest of a ridge of sand, and were undoubtedly 
burial places of the dead. 

At Kenosha were found indications of a manufactory of 
arrow heads, and other articles of flint, for which abundant 
of material was furnished by the boulders and pebbles along 
the lake beach and shore. 

At Racine there are a number of very interesting remains, 
chiefly on the high ground near Root river, from one to two 
miles form the Lake. Here are numerous circular burial 
mounds, though of a small size and elevation, embraced m 



30 WISCONSIN. 

one circular enclosure, with several tapering ridges. "D>« 
mounds are without systematic arrangement, from five to fifty 
feet in diameter, and from one to seven feet in height. Dr. 
Hoy, of Racine, opened one in which were found the skele- 
tons of seven persons, in a sitting posture, facing the 
r^st, but accompanied with ornaments. In another lie discov- 
ered two vases of pottery, one made of cream colored clay 
and whita sand, like pale brick, of the capacity of five quarts., 
tiie other, which was of a red brick color, was smaller. Both 
are thought to resemble those in culinary use among the 
Burmese. The great antiquity of these remains is made clear 
by the gigantic size of the trees now standing on them — one 
with three hundred rings; showing as Dr. Hoy estimates an 
antiquity of a thousand years. But the most numerous group 
of these mounds lies about a mile west of Racine, and a pail 
of them has been embraced in the modern eemetry of that 
beautiful city. 

The numerous earthworks about Milwaukee, attest at one* 
the attractiveness of that favorite locality to the aboriginal 
inhabitants. They extend from Kinmckinnic Creek, near the 
"Indian Fields," where they arc most abundant, to a point 
six miles above the city. They occupy the high grounds con- 
tiguous to the Lake and streams, but not the immediate shore, 
and a considerable number are appropriately enclosed in the 
"Forest home" cemetery of Milwaukee. Many of the mounds 
in this region are of large extent; chiefly from one hundred 
to four hundred feet in diameter, and are laid out in fanciful 
fopns, resembling the figures of turtles, lizards, birds, the otter 
and buffalo; not a few have the form of a war-club. In some 
instances one mound is elevated so as to overlook or command 
rnauy others, which has led to the conjecture of its being eith- 
er an observatory, or more probably, an altar mound for sac- 
rificial or religious rites. 

At Sheboygan and Manitowoc, similar antiquities are found 
though to a smaller extent. Many bear resemblance to sim- 
ple breast-works for defense, being about four feet in height, 
and twelve feet broad at the base. 

On leaving the lake shore, fine remains are to he found on 
the borders of the interior waters of Wisconsin. On the Fox 
ox Pishtaka river, are several interesting localities — one a lit- 
tle north of west from Chicago, where were counted on the 



WISCONSIN. SI 

brow of a hill twenty seven mounds from one to four and a 
half feet in height, and from fifteen to twenty-five feet long-. 
The principal points of interest on the Pishtaka are at and 
near Waukesha, where have been disintered many pipes and 
specimens of pottery, and in the neighborhood of the village 
of Pewaukee where is a remarkable collection of lizard and 
turtle mounds — one having a length of four hundred and fifty 
feet. 

The basin of Rock River with its tributaries is perhaps 
exceeded by no part of the North-west in the interesting char- 
acter of these aboriginal remains. Without particularizing 
those found a few miles above Pulton, where the river expands 
into a beautiful lake, abounding in fish, a natural attraction to 
the red man, it may be worth while to notice more at length, 
the more remarkable remains found at what has been termed 
the "ancient city of Aztalan." The locality has attracted 
much notice as one of the wonders of the West, and exagger- 
ated accounts have gone forth of its brick walls and buttresses 
— its stone arches, &c, in all of which there is hardly any 
shadow of truth. These remains were first discovered in 1836, 
and hastily surveyed by N.P. Hyer, Esq., the year following. 

On the West branch of Rock River may be seen a ridge 
of earth (not of brick) extending around three sides of an ir- 
regular parallelogram — the river forming the fourth side. Its 
length, at the north end is, is 331 feet; on the west side 
1,419 i'eQU and 700 feet on the south side,. making an average 
length of 2,7.50 feet, and enclosing an area of seventeen and 
two-thirds acres. The ridge is about 22 feet width, and from 
one to five feet high, the corners not rectangular, and the em- 
bankment not straight. The so-called buttresses are simply 
enlargement, about 40 feet in diameter, at intervals warping 
from 61 to 95 feet, giving the appearance of so many mounds, 
with a connecting ridge. Irregular masses of red clay in the 
embankment, in some instances partially baked by burning 
burning grass or straw, have led to the popular belief of tha 
employment of brick in its construction. 

At the south-west corner, of the interior, is found a trunca- 
ted mound, having a level area on the top 53 feet wide on its 
west side, and seen from high ground near has the appearance 
of a pyramid "rising by successive steps, like the gigantic 
structures of Mexico." This is supposed to have been the 



32 WISCONSIN. 

most sacred spot, as well as the highest. The exterior wall 
eurves around this pyramid, and is also protracted by two par- 
alel walls outside the embankment. A similar pyramid 
elevation is found at the north-west corner, while various low 
and smaller ridges are to be seen within the enclosure, with 
connecting rings or circles, supposed to be the remains of mud 
houses. 

The structure above described was intended for sepulchral 
or other religious uses, rather than for military defence, is 
made probable by the disinterment of half-burned human 
remains from one of the buttresses, together with fragments of 
pottery and charcoal. It is confirmed by the material fact 
that the whole structure is commanded, in a military point of 
view, by a parallel ridge, extending alongthe west side, within 
arrow shot distance. 

The strong resemblance this structure bears to the temple 
mounds of Ohio and the States south, places it in the same 
family with that class which finds its highest type in the fin- 
ished monuments of Mexican art. Hence the name given to 
this locality of Aztalan — a derivative from the Aztecs of Mex- 
ico, among whom existed the tradition of a migration from the 
north. The dissimilarity of these remains to the animal shap- 
ed mounds commonly found in the West, is worthy of notice, 
and it may have been, as Mr. Lapham supposes, a sort of 
Mecca, the perodical resort of the race that constructed it. 
It is sad to say, however, that this highly interesting work of 
anti((uity, like many others, is suffering injury at the hands of 
civilized man, who is furrowing it for grain, or digging for its 
hidden treasures. Cannot this work of the stroyer be stayed, 
and these precious monuments of a race that no longer lives 
to tell its story be preserved. 

Besides the antiquities of Aztalan, there are yet others in 
the valley of Rock river, beyond Ixonia, at Wolf Point, me- 
moriable as the point where Black Hawk made his stand in 18 12. 
At Hartford, there has been found a bird-shaped stone, much 
revered by the Winnebago Indians, and five miles farther, a 
ridge one thousand feet in length. But the most extensive, 
and varied group is at Horicon, numbering about two hundred 
common mounds, among which are modern graves of the Pot- 
tAwattamies; sixteen of the mounds are of a cruciform shape. 



WISCONSIN. 33 

It would require more space than propriety allows to give 
in detail the various works of antiquity on the Neenah or 
Fox river or Green Bay — on a branch of Grand river where 
are some one hundred mounds, one called, from its figure, 
"the man" though with some inequality in the length of its 
members — on the basin of the fine Wisconsin river, where at 
the " Dells of the Wisconsin," is an enclosure with ah area of 
45, OSS square feet, large enough to hold 2,000 persons, forti- 
fied by double walls which may have been protected by pali- 
sides; and at Iron Creek, is still another fort surrounded by 
a fosse or ditch in a parallelogram, and symmetrical in its fig- 
ure. We might pass on to notice the curiosities of the Lake 
Vieux Desert, with its beautiful island so favorable for culti- 
vation and defence to the primitive race, and showing an in- 
teresting elliptical embankment in its centre; and the yet 
more attractive remains in the region of Lake Superior, where 
have been found mounds in the forms of mathematical figures, 
one in a regular pyramid, like that in the Avails of • Aztalan. 

Should the reader desire a more detailed account of these 
reliques of American antiquity, and others, Ave have not par- 
ticulary referred to, at Madison and elsewhere, he will find 
them in Mr. Lapham's valuable memorials, from which we 
have freely drawn. It is gratifying that public attention is 
directed to these remains which deserve a thorough examina- 
tion from men of science. It is clear that but little is yet 
known of them. Farther and more careful examination may 
throw a flood of light upon the race Avho have left them to 
us, of whom Ave uoav knoAv little more than a glimpse at these 
remarkable earth-mounds reveals — a few bones, a few bits of 
pottery, pipes, wrought sometimes in artistic forms, a few rude 
implements — this is all. A single example of hieroglyphic 
characters is given us at Gale's Bluff, near La Crosse, on the, 
Mississippi, forbidding the hope of learning much, save by in- 
ference and comparison. Yet much is possible to scientific 
research, as is witnessed in the long obscured monuments of 
Egypt and Babylon. 

Mr. Lapham supposes that the race who left the greater 
part of these monuments where the progenitors of the exist- 
ing Indian tribes, and that this is rendered probable by 
the resemblance of the pots and vases in figure &c, to 
those now found in old Indian villages, and to those still made 
c 



34 Wisconsin. 

by the iMaudan and other tribes. He also supposes there 
was a gradual transition in the form of the mounds. They 
arc found in all figures, from the full circle through the oval 
.and elongated mounds to the oblong and long ridges. He 
considers the oldest to embrace those formed in the figures of 
animals, and the great works at x^ztalan; that the next in the 
order of time were the conical mounds erected for sepulchral 
uses — these coming down to a recent period. Indications of 
garden beds have been found in connection with some of these 
mounds, which arc planted in geometrical figures or in right 
lines; these he places latter. The most recent are those bear- 
ing marks of plantation by modern Indians, with no observ- 
ance of regularity or order. This theory supposes a singular 
sad degeneracy in the latter race of the red-men. It is 
v >rthy of notice, that the animal shaped mounds are chiefly 
to the territory embraced in the State of Wisconsin. 

v- have been referred to as in Ohio. 

ta greatly to be desired that public care should be be- 
jtowefl on the preservation of the few monuments left us, as 
the legacy from the ancient occupants of the West. Such 
there are in our own State — a few mementos — all we have or 
can have of their history. It is unfortunate for Illinois, that, 
among the Institutions of that State, she cannot yet number 
a Historical" Society, to gather, garner up and elucidute the 
materials of her history. Wisconsin has set us an honorable 
example of enlightened and patriot interest in this department 
; woi r hy of our imitati 



WISCONSIN. 3S 



EDUCATION. 



Perhaps no State in the Union is more actively and efficient- 
ly engaged in providing the means to secure to all its children 
a good practical education, and prepare them to become useful 
in the world, than the State of Wisconsin. By an act of 
Congress, one Section in each Township, or one thirty-sixth 
part of the whole State was donated for the support of its 
common schools; increased in 1841, by a further donation of 
">00,000 acres. These lands are sold according to their value, 
ten per cent of the purchase money is paid when the lands are 
entered, and the balance remains on interest at seven per cent. 
They have generally sold much higher than the government 
price ; but at an average of $1,25 per acre. The School lands 
of Wisconsin when all sold would creat a fund of over 
81,200,000; another addition will accrue from the swamp 
lands estimated at 3,000,000 acres, which will be valuable as 
meadow lands. The proceeds of these sales are put into the 
treasury, and the interest only divided annually pro rata to 
the different counties. 

The State Superintendent is elected by the people, and holds 
his office two years. His duties are the superintendence of all 
the schools in the State. There is also a town Superinten- 
dent in each town, and other town officers to attend to the 
interests of local schools. There is not only the necessary 
machinery, but it is generally kept in "running order," and 
so applied as to make the common schools the nurseries cf a 
good practical education. Teachers are generally employed 
with much more reference to their qualifications and success 
in teaching, than to the amount paid as compensation. In 
towns which have been settled eight or ten years, the travel- 
er will discover a far greater number of neat and valuable 
school houses, with pleasant play grounds, in Wisconsin, than 
among an equal number of inhabitants of the old and long 
settled states; and the internal arrangements of these little 
seminaries bring no reproach upon the outside appearances. 
In the counties which are mostly settled, "Teacher's Insti- 
tutes" have been organized, which hold semi-annual sessions 
of a week; here the teachers discuss the modes of instr 



36 WISCONSIN. 

and government, the merits of the various text books, <5cc, 
through the days session; and one of their number Lectures 
upon some branch of education in the evening. The State 
Superintendent frequently attends sessions of the county In- 
stitutes, and their influence has tended to train the teachers 
in a course of effective usefulness, and add much to the edu- 
cational interests of Wisconsin and to give to her common 
schools a dignity and respectability which they would not 
otherwise possess, and while the common schools have thus 
been cared for and elevated, the people have not forgotten to 
provide for the maturing and perfecting the education of such 
students, as might seek the advantages of Academic and Col- 
legiate departments. The Congress of the United States 
gave 144 Sections of choice land for the benefit of a State 
University in Wisconsin. These lands have been selected, 
and the proceeds expended in the erection of the University 
buildings at Madison, which are already completed, and the 
College in successful operation. There is also one at Beloit, 
in Rock Co., under the especial superintendence of the Con- 
gregational and Presbyterian denominations, which is in a 
prosperous and flourishing condition. 

Carrol College, at Waukesha, is under the charge of the 
Presbyterians, has a noble stone edifice, an able corps of 
professors, and fair prospects of eminent rank among literary 
institutions. 

The E-oman Catholics have a College with many students, 
at Smsinewa Mound in Grant county, which supplies the ed- 
ucational necessities of the Catholic Faith. 

A College at Beaver Dam in Dodge county is rapidly pro- 
gressing under the auspices of the Baptist denomination, and 
no doubt will soon be in useful operation in that city, which 
now stands unrivalled in the State for its progressive energies. 



WISCONSIN. 37 



PRESENT AND FUTURE. . 

We copy an article which was drawn up with great care, 
and published in the spring of 1856 in nearly every paper in 
the State, as giving a truthful and intelligent view of the 
condition and prospects of Wisconsin at that time. 
"If coming events cast their shadow before, Wisconsin must 
needs become the "Empire State." The youngest now of 
the five giant off-springs of the immortal ordinance of '87, she 
is yet in swaddling clothes — whilst Ohio, the oldest, is now 
fairly decking herself in the "Toga virilla." Wisconsin, al- 
though the youngest of the "five," has given evidence by her 
vigerous growth, her sinewy nervous frame, and her feats of 
infantile prowess, of what may be expected of her adult age. 

As her growth in the past has not depended upon a mira- 
cle, so her future development will result from natural causes. 
Other States have grown because they contained natural ele- 
ments of activity and wealth. These elements exist in Wis- 
consin to a degree not found in any other State west or east. 
We have arrived at this conclusion after looking over the 
whole course of past increase in population and wealth in this 
and other States, and fearing the criticism of this opinion may 
be the too common expression of "humbug," or be traced to 
that bountiful spirit which abounds in vague generalities that, 
proves nothing and satisfies but few, we append reasons for 
this opinion, and challenge the severest scrutiny. Geograph- 
ical position is a most important element of growth and pros- 
perity. Wisconsin is located between 43°50 / and 47° of north 
latitude. This is the northern temperate region, and is the 
one in which man has exhibited most energy and develop- 
ment. Her atmosphere is cool, clear and dry, and conse- 
quently invigorating. Billious and miasmatic affections, the 
scourges of Michigan, Illinois and Iowa, are unknown. Health 
and longevity, two most desirable blessings, are consequently 
attainable here. From a table of the last U. S. census, (an 
impartial report of course,) we obtain the following facts : 

This table gives the relative health, progress, and deaths 
of the several States, and illustrates that the number of deaths 
m tatio to the number of living is — in the State of Maine, 1 



38 WISCONSIN. 

to 77; Vermont, 1 to 100; Connecticut, ] to 64; Illinois, I 
to 73-; Iowa, lto94; and Wisconsin, 1 to 105; and this is 
not only a fair comparison with the above named States, but 
exhibits the least number of deaths proportionate to the pop- 
ulation of any State in the Union. This fact, as "good wine, 
ne^ds no bush." 

Commercial advantages can be ascertained by simply men- 
tioning her position. On her eastern border is Lake Michi- 
gan, on the north Lake Superior, and on these Lakes in con- 
junction with Lake Erie already floats a commerce, by the 
tabular statements of the census returns, greatly exceeding 
our entire foreign trade — on her west runs the Mississippi 
river the entire length of the State, 400 miles, connecting her 
with St. Louis, New Orleans and foreign nations. These facts 
need no comment. Her productive soil is an element of 
wealth not sufficiently known to be fully appreciated. Wis- 
consin is pre-eminently an agricultural State, and is capable 
of becoming as wealthy as any one of the western sisterhood. 
By the late census and other data, it may be safe and fair to 
calculate that there are about one and a half millions acres 
of cultivated land in the State ; which, as now occupied, con- 
stitute about 50,000 farms, more or less tilled. 

Besides this one and a half millions acres of improved land, 
there is within the area of the State above 30,000,000 acres 
of land, of wbich at least 20,000,000 is suitable to be converted 
into productive and pleasant farms — enough land to make 
two millions additional farms — waiting for occupants ; and 
may be purchased at low prices, ranging from $1 25 to $60 00 
per acre. 

In regard to the value of improved lands in the new States, 
the same report shows that the average value is — in Illinois, 
$7 99 ; in Iowa, $6 09; in Texas, $1 09 ; and in Wisconsin, 
it is $9 48 — a very fair show for a young State. 

And by looking carefully through the tables, we find that 
average value of products per acre, exceeds that of the other 
States named, in about the same proportion that the land ex- 
ceeds their yer acre in value. Draw a line from Manitowoc 
to Portage, thence directly to the Falls of St. Croix, the farm- 
ing lands lying south of this line, and comprising nearly one 
half the State, are not equalled in all respects as farming 
lands in any State of the Union. North of this, a belt of 



WISCONSIN, c 

hard timber extends east and west 150 miles on the latitude 
of Stevens Point — from 50 to 100 miles in width. The soil 
of this region is fertile, and the timber its present wealth, 
Unlike the prairies, building material and fences are conven- 
ient, and no country produces better or more wheat. This is 
the staple crop, and combined with numerous afford 

the best facility for grazing. This peculiarity, [abundance 
of water,) pervades the entire State, and presem 
for cattle growing not found in other prairie countries where 
running water is found at distances too great for cattle. 
The water power on the St. Croix, Black, Chi Rock, 

Crawfish, Wisconsin, and other rivers surrounded by 
agricultural regions, and every kind of raw I. and 

abundant lumber — without any competition ii; 
valley — this water power is but partially use 
must be most valuable. Eastern men can appreciate tj 
portant fact, and we need not designate the 
the water power of this State an important elei ealth 

and greatness. 

The immense Pineries at the source of these riv- 
venient to their various falls — taken into account with tht. 
scarcity of timber in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri; 
treasures inexhaustible. They are at present demanded by 
these States. Most of these rivers empty into the M 
and are navigable for rafts, whilst not a few ai 
certain seasons for boats of large size. 

On the southwest the country abounds in Lead, and ^ <. > 
tensively w r orked ; on the north, the Copper mines 
lenged the interests of eastern capitalists. These mines 
employment to labor and offer a home market for immense 
agricultural products, as well as foster manufacturing oh a 
most extensive scale. With this — and without this advant- 
age many of these advantages would be lost — we have a sj .-- 
tern of Railroads traversing the State and reaching the most 
desirable points above mentioned. Her natural scenery is 
equal to that of any State of the Union. 

We have stated facts, and from them what are our most- 
reasonable deductions. Is not her course in accordance with 
her motto, "Forward?" In 1840 Wisconsin had 80,000 in- 
habitants; in 1850, 305,000; in 1855, 552,000. In popula- 
tion she has outstripped all the western States, no one having 



40 WISCONSIN. 

increased tenfold in ten years. In five years she has nearly 
doubled, her population having increased 247,000, while Illi- 
nois, a growing and rapidly increasing State, has- added but 
30- per centum to her population. 

The territory of Wisconsin is larger than either New York, 
Pennsylvania, Ohio or Indiana. The latter, by the last cen- 
sus, had a population of 1,000,000, the next before, 2,000,000, 
the second 3,000,000, the first, in round numbers, 4,000,000. 
Wisconsin has a richer soil than New York, and more acres 
susceptible of cultivation than New York or Pennsylvania. 
The south east counties of Wisconsin are the only settled 
portions of the State, whilst the north and northwest are com- 
paratively a wilderness. Taking the population of New 
Yprk as 4,000,000 for our data of calculation, and taking 
into account that she has a larger proportion of sterile land 
than Wisconsin, and that the city and environs may be re- 
garded as national and dependant upon position, we may 
safely give the rural districts 3,200,000, and, moreover, were 
she as densely populated as Massachusetts, she would have 
6,000,000; these being the data, and Wisconsin one fourth 
larger, would contain 7,500,000 with the same number to the 
square mile. Taking the growth of Ohio and Indiana as a 
data for Wisconsin increase, we can safely predict in five 
years 800,000 inhabitants, in ten years 1,100,000, in fifteen 
years, 1,500,000, in twenty-five years 3,000,000, in fifty years 
5,000,000. These are subjects challenging the attention and 
interests of all desirous of seeking a home and State with 
special advantages. 

The advantages presented in the preceding, invite every 
visitor to the State, and have induced greatly the improve- 
ments we have simply glanced at. The Chairman of the 
Board of Trade of the Chamber of Commerce of Cincinnati, 
visited this State last Summer. We know the writer, and no 
man better qualified by travel, reading and observation to 
give a correct opinion than he. The following extract of a 
letter written during a summer's tour, will exhibit his opinion 
of the present, and from it we may deduce future greatness of 
the State. 

A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette of the 9th of 
August, 1855, says: 



WISCONSIN. 41 

"One peculiarity, wherever I traveled in Wisconsin, struek 
me forcibly, viz: the apparent high degree of culture, cleanli- 
ness and thriftiness of the farms. There is not half so much 
to remind one of a new country as there is in Ohio and Indi- 
ana, and this is attributable chiefly to the fact that almost 
every quarter section, in its natural state, is ready for plow- 
ing and fencing without the labor of felling trees enough to 
burden the navy of the world; and partly to the fact that the 
class of settlers are off-shoots from the hardy and industrious 
sons of New England, or the farmers of Western New York 
and Northern Ohio. Fifty years labor in New England, or 
twenty years toil in Ohio, are not equal in their results to five 
industrious years in Wisconsin." 

Here is told in plain, simple and concise language, facts 
that could not be more forcibly or truthfully delineated in a 
column, and are the observations of a man whose opportuni- 
ties and capabilities for judging are equal to any man in the 
Union. 

The Legislature of our State have fixed the rate of interest 
by contract at 12 per cent, and have repealed all laws forfeit- 
ing the principal if interest beyond this sum be agreed on. 
Our laws now, whilst fixing the rate at 12 per cent, require a 
tender of the principal, before a suit can be brought to recov- 
er any excess, giving a freedom to the value of money, un- 
known in any other State in the Union. We doubt not this 
will bring the surplus capital of other States to ours, and will 
aid in developing our valuable resources. 

In the short space which has intervened between the first 
settlement in this State and the present time, changes little 
less than miraculous, have taken place; the widespread flow- 
ergarden, whose unbroken sod was trodden only by wild 
beasts and the wild men of the forest, is now clothed over 
with one hundred thousand cultivated fields, whose harvests 
feed more than half a million of civilized people upon the 
soil, and send annually, to the less fertile east, breadstuff's to 
sustain a million more. Semiaries of learning and temples of 
worship; populous cities filled with the merchandize, wealth, 
and splendor of the east. Every navigable water supplied 
with sail and steamboats, busily employed in transporting 
passengers and freight to and from the various large towns 
and new settlements springing up in the recent wilderness. 



42 WISCONSIN. 

Long trains of cars driven upon the iron track, into almost 
every section of the State, are finger marks of Wisconsin 
progress for the last twenty years. All of these improve- 
ments are the necessary implements which will be used with 
renewed vigor to develop the immeasurable wealth of the 
State, and accelerate her progress and cut short the march to 
her high destiny, of "the greatest State in the Union." The 
present wealth of Wisconsin is not a foreign importation, but 
an extraction from her own soil. As a general rule the set- 
tlers in Wisconsin were poor, but industrious, men of large 
hearts and aspirations, unwilling to be cramped in narrow 
limits, or bound by mouldy customs, who had battled with 
adversity and misfortune in other climes, gained self reliance 
in their conflicts, until the stern determination of I will con- 
aucr, was engraved on every muscle of the man; they come 
to this new region, poor in pocket, but rich in hope, ready to 
endure the privations and subdue the difficulties of pioneer 
life, and are now the genuine aristocracy of the State, sur- 
rounded with the wealth their own hands have brought into 
existence. 



"WISCONSIN 



4-5 




LIGHT HOUSE, MENASHA. 

From Daguerreotype by J. F. Harrison. 



FOX RIVER IMPROVEMENT. 



"The Fox River of Wisconsin, rising in the northern part 
of Columbia County, runs south-easterly to Fort Whmbego, 
and making a turn round the Fort, flows in a north-easterly 
direction into Green Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan, and is 
navigable from Fort Winnebago to its mouth, a distance of 
one hundred and sixty miles, except at certain points below 
Lake Winnebago, where navigation is interrupted by several 
ledges of rock, over which the river falls an aggregate of 1 60 
feet in a distance of twenty miles. 

" The Wisconsin river, rising near the northern boundary 
of the State, flows south-westerly to the Mississippi, and is now 
navigable for about two hundred miles, being sixty mile* 
abpve Fort Winnebago. At this Fort, the Fox and Wiscon- 
sin approach to within one and a half miles of each other 



46 Wisconsin. 

with a difference in level of only four feet, with a flat prairie 
between them. This proximity of two navigable streams 
running in opposite directions through the State, afforded, at 
an early period, a convenient transit from Lake Michigan to 
the Mississippi river, and attracted the attention of the Sec- 
retary of War, who, in 1838, strongly urged upon Congress 
to connect them by a canal, for the purpose of facilitating the 
transportation of troops and munitions of war destined for the 
western frontier of the United States. In pursuance of this 
recommendation, a grant of land was made in the year 1846, 
by Congress to the State of Wisconsin, to aid in the contem- 
plated improvement and connection of these rivers by a canal, 
which grant was accepted by the State in 1847, and the work 
put in course of construction. But, as it appeared by the 
Report of the State officers in charge on the work of January 
1, 1.853, the improvement could not be completed from 
the avails of the grant of land without many years' delay, and 
a majority of the Legislature deeming it unconstitutional to 
issue State Bonds, from the sale of which to finish it, and yet 
acknowledging the great importance to the State of a speedy 
completion of the work, resolved to surrender the whole im- 
provement, the balance of the grant of lands remaining unsold, 
hydraulic privileges, &c, to a company, on receiving good 
and sufficient guarantee that the work should be accomplished, 
and the parties interested as contractors or otherwise, secured 
from loss. A number of individuals, impressed with the vast 
importance of the work as a means of cheap transportation 
for the products and supplies of the richest agricultural, and 
mineral, and lumber portions of the State, and consequently 
as a source of immense revenue, entered into articles of asso- 
ciation, and applied to the Legislature for an act of incorpor- 
ation, in which they succeeded by obtaining an act, approved 
July (5th, 1853, granting to the company unlimited powers to 
accomplish the object in view, enabling them to purchase and 
sell real estate, build and carry on mills and factories, for 
which water is used as motive power; build boats, transport 
merchandise, produce, and passengers, and engage in any 
business which they may deem necessary in connection with 
the use and navigation of the two rivers to be improved. 

"The design o{' the improvement is to enable boats to pass 
from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Beginning at the 



WISCONSIN. 47 

Lake, Green Bay and Fox River afford unobstructed navi- 
gation for the largest class of Lake Steamers for eighty miles, 
to the town of Depere, six miles above the mouth of the river. 
At this point rapids are encountered, with a fall of some six 
feet ; rapids again occur at the following points : At the 
Oroche, Grand Kaukaulin, Little Chute, Cedars, Grand Chute, 
and Outlet of Winnebago Lake. These rapids were to be 
overcome by dams, locks, and short sections of canal, after 
which the navigation was unobstructed to Fort Winnebago, 
where two locks, and a canal two miles long, were necessary 
to complete the improvement." 

This part of the work, connecting the Fox and Wisconsin 
Rivers is already finished, and has been in successful opera- 
tion since 1S&2. 

"The whole length of canal necessary to secure a steam- 
boat communication from Green Bay to Lake Winnebago, is 
about five miles. It is 100 feet wide on the bottom, and 
120 at the top, (two feet wider than the famous Welland 
Canal.) The locks are 40 feet wide by 160 long, and built 
in the most permanent manner, of sold stone masonry, and in 
a style that will not suffer in comparison with any similar 
work in the eastern states. It is calculated, that with the 
improved manner of working these locks, a steamer can pass 
each, in the short space of three minutes. This will afford a 
rapid transit for the vast amount of freight that must and will 
seek an outlet through this thoroughfare to an eastern market. 
The capacity of the river for all purpose of navigation is 
undoubted; at no season of the year can there be any failure 
Of wature." — Exhibit of Fox River Improvement. 

"Twelve miles above Oshkosh, westward, is the mouth pf 
the Wolf River, a tributary of the Fox, and navigable for 
steamers for one hundred and fifty miles. Forty miles above 
the mouth of Wolf River is the town of Berlin; sixty miles 
further, Portage City, and town of Fort Winnebago ; above 
which places, for sixty miles, and below for one hundred and 
thirty-five miles, the Wisconsin is now navigable for steamers. 

Through these, a ready connection will be secured with the 
Mississippi and its tributaries, and it is. confidently calculated 
that at no distant day, steam tugs, with between 200 and 500 
tons burden in tow, 'each, from St. Peters river — from St. 
Paul, and other places in that direction, will land their bur- 



48 WISCONSIN. 

dens at Green Bay, to be shipped to an eastern Market. The 
objection to be urged to this route, from so remote locality is, 
that it will take too long to make the transit. To this we 
have to reply, that it is estimated by those who know better 
than we, that this great distance can and will be overcome 
by just these kind of crafts, in from four to six days, and by 
passenger boats in much less time." — Fountain City Herald. 

•'The water-powers incidentally created by the construction 
of this improvement will eventually prove to be one of its 
most productive sources of revenue, and of themselves suffi- 
cient to yield a fair per centage on the total cost of the works. 
The nine dams and the six miles of canal along which it is 
only necessary to erect bulkheads to make the powers avail- 
able, will afford water sufficient to drive a large number of 
mills and factories, the volume discharged through the Fox 
River being equal to a stream 200 yards in width, 2 feet in 
depth, with a velocity of eight miles per hour." — Ex. of Fox 
River Improvement. 

This improvement will open about 1000 miles to steam 
navigation, between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, 
including the navigable streams in the interior of northern 
Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. 

This stupendous work which is to be completed this pre- 
sent season (1856) in its tendency will do far more for the 
prosperity and advancement of the vast regions, opened to 
the advantages of connection with the Atlantic market, than 
any other improvement contemplated. 

This noble enterprise is so nearly completed, June 1856, 
that steamers have commenced regular daily trips from Green 
Bay to Lake Winnebago, and up the Fox River. The Aquila , 
built at Pittsburg, has traversed the Ohio, Mississippi and 
Wisconsin Rivers, plies between Green Bay and Berlin. 
Some of the locks arc yet in an imperfect state, and some of 
canals are yet to be improved; the completion of all thfc 
parts is steadily progressing, and it is confidently believen 
that when the work is completed, and the business of the 
country, with its competition, shall be fully devloped, trans- 
portation from the ports along Winnebago Lake to Green Bay 
will not exceed seventy-five cents per ton, and as the Bav 
affords one of the safest and most commodious harbors in the 
world, and the only harbor on Lake Michigan, it must be a 



WISCONSIN. 49 

desirable shipping place and attract much maratime business. 
The immense amount of available water-power on this route 
will undoubtedly attract the attention of capitalists and man- 
ufacturers, and as its advantages and intrinsic value are dis- 
covered and duly appreciated, Lowells and Manchesters will 
spring up between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, the in- 
terests and. growth of which will be identified with all the 
widespread, fertile country through which the line of water 
passes. Wisconsin has many beautiful and valuable rivers, 
but no one which can contribute more to the wealth and con- 
venience of the State, than the Fox and its tributaries. 

Along the western boundary of the State, sweeps the fa- 
ther of waters, the majestic Mississippi, bearing upon its 
broad bosom, steam boats, schooners, flat boats and every 
imaginable floating craft, laden with an overflowing tide of 
humanity and its appendages. In this State it receives the 
tribute of the St. Croix, which rises in the county of Douglas 
and runs in a southerly direction and forms a portion of the 
boundary line between Minnesota and Wisconsin: its mouth 
is at Port Douglas. The Chippewa river rises in the county 
of the same name, and runs southerly through the counties 
of Dunn and Buffalo to the Mississippi. The valley through 
which it passes is eminently adapted to agriculture. The lands 
are not entered and are almost an entire wilderness. 

Buffalo river rises in the northeasterly part of Trempeleau 
county and runs in a westerly direction about thirty miles, 
thence southwesterly about twenty-five miles and empties 
into the Chippewa near its entrance into the Mississippi. 

The Eagle river is a small stream that rises in the interior 
of Buffalo county and empties into the Mississippi at Fountain 
City. 

Trempeleau river rises in the north part of the county of 
the same name, runs in a southerly direction, forming the 
western boundary of this county, a distance of about eighteen 
or twenty miles from its mouth. 

Black river rises in the north part of Clark county, running 
a meandering course in a southerly direction through Clark 
and Jackson counties, and forms the northwestern boundary 
of La Crosse county. 

La Crosse river rises in the south part of Jackson county, 
runs in a southwesterly direction through Monroe and La- 



50 WISCONSIN. 

Crosse counties and empties into the Mississippi at Prairie 
La Crosse. 

Raccoon river rises in the southwest part of Monroe county 
runs in a southwesterly direction through the northwest cor- 
ner of Bad Ax county, into the Mississippi. 

Bad Ax river rises in the interior of Bad> Ax county, and 
empties into the Mississippi at Battle Field.' 

The Wisconsin river takes its rise in the extensive swamps 
in the north part of the State, and runs in a southerly direc- 
tion through Marathon, Portage and Adams counties, thence 
southeasterly into the interior of Columbia county, thence 
southwesterly forming a boundary between Sauk, Richland 
and Crawford counties, on the south, and Dane, Iowa and 
Grant counties on the north emptying into the Mississippi a 
rt distance below Prairie du Chien. 

G-rant river rises in Grant county, and flows in a meander- 
iuiC course to Potosi, where, it empties into the Mississippi river. 

Platte river rises in Grant, near Iowa county, and winds its 
way to the Mississippi, near the southern boundary of the 
State. The tributaries to the same mighty current which 
flows into Illinois before finding their common level, are the 
Pecatonica, Sugar and Rock river, the latter of which has 
one of its head-springs in Fond du Lac and another in Mar- 
quette county, which pass through Horicon Lake in the coun- 
ty of Dodge and then through Jefferson and Rock counties 
and leaves the State at Beloit after furnishing the valley 
through which it passes with much valuable water-power. 
The Milwaukee river rises in the town of Eden, Fond du Lac. 
county, passes through Ozaukee and Washington counties to 
the city of Milwaukee, which stands upon its banks. The 
Sheboygan rises but a few miles from the head of the Mil- 
waukee and pursues its winding course to Sheboygan where 
it empties into Lake Michigan. Manitowoc rises in the high- 
lands in Calumet county and passes through the county of its 
own name to Lake Michigan at the village of Manitowoc. 
The Twin rivers rise one in Brown the other in Kewaunee 
county, and gradually incline toward each other till they 
meet and embrace each other in the bosom of the Lake at 
the village of Two Rivers, about six miles north of Manito- 
woc. The Fox river takes its rise in the county of Marquette, 
pursues a very winding course and receives tribute from nuin- 



WISCONSIN. 51 

©rous lakes and streams before arriving at Portage, where it 
is connected by a canal with the Wisconsin (the head of the 
Fox river Improvement) runs northeasterly and receives the 
Wolf river at Winneconne, thence through Lake Winnebago 
to Green Bay; forming, for several miles below the lake the 
best water-power in all the western States; if not the best in 
the world. The Wolf river rises in the great northwestern 
wilderness of the State passes through the immense pineries, 
furnishing a highway for their transit to Winneconne, where 
it surrenders itself to the Fox. 

There are several small rivers which rise in the interior 
of the northern part of the State and pass into Green Bay. 
among which are the Oconto, Peshlege and Menomonee. The 
Wolf river has also many tributary streams, among which are 
the Embarrass, Little Wolf, Rat and Waupacca rivers. The 
streams which run north and west into Lake Superior are 
generally short and unimportant to the interests of this work. 

During the season of. navigation, steamboats daily traverse 
many thousands of miles upon the waters of Wisconsin, and 
yet the increase of population and commerce demand contin- 
ual increase of the various crafts which ply upon the waters 
of every part of the State. 

The State is now much better supplied with railroad 
municatiohs, according to the age of its settlement than any 
other State in the Union, and active and efficient means are 
now being employed to supply the deficiences in every sec- 
tion where they exist. If the same measure of prosperity 
which has marked the progress of Wisconsin enterprise for 
the last five years, should attend her energies for five years 
to come, the problem of her destiny would be solved in the 
certainty that her people possess the key to unlock those im- 
mense treasures of national wealth which constitute her the 
richest and most prosperous State upon the American continent. 
[For much of the data in the preceding sketch, we acknowl- 
edge our indebtedness to an invaluable little work of S. Chap- 
man, entitled the Wisconsin Hand Book. The Hand Book 
should be sowed broadcast over the eastern States, so that 
any person wishing information of Wisconsin could learn 
much of the ieal condition of any locality in an hour's time. 
This book is worth more than the generality of books which 
sell for six times its cost.] 



i2 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Readers whose minds have been somewhat educated in 
natural scenery, and possess an imagination tolerably active, 
may figure to themselves a district of country from twenty 
to twenty-four miles square, without a mountain, hill or dis- 
tinguished eminence, generally level, but perpetually undu- 
lating like gentle swells upon the ocean; its surface present- 
ing a luxurious growth of grass, shrubbery and herbage, var- 
iegated and ornamented with countless wild flowers of every 
form and every hue, intermingled with blossoming and fruit 
bearing shrubs and trees; with here a beautiful, but unbroken 
prairie; there a long glade of native hay-field, then a broad 
expanse of scattered oaks, like a time honored orchard giving 
ample space for cultivation, and along the banks of flowing 
streams and pure lakes a dense border of forest trees, of hick- 
ory, oak, sugar-maple and bass; the waters inhabited by myr- 
iads of large and fine flavored fish; then spread along the 
whole eastern boundary a clear and beautiful sheet of water, 
from six to ten miles wide, which at the northeast corner of 
the tract, with strong current, forces itself through two chan- 
nels to unite in a broad basin below, thus forming an island 
of about seven or eight hundred acres, and furnishing the 
most admirable water-power along the various shores, suffic- 
ient to drive the machinery of a kingdom; then along the 
northern boundary of the tract set a thick growth of heavy 
forest trees as far as the eye can reach; draw from the north- 
west to. the south-east corner, a noble river meandering diag- 
onally across the tract; near the center bring in another flow- 
ing stream from the south-east, with graceful curvings gliding 
on to mingle its waters with the former, and unitedly supply 
the lake .upon the eastern shore; people the landscape with 
the children of the forest in their native wildness; mark their 
wigwam villages; their cornfields, their bark canoes, their 
council-fires, and their war-dances, and there will be a truth- 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 53 

ful map of Winnebago county as it was twenty years ago. 
Then wave the magic wand of civilization, art, industry, sci- 
ence and commerce; cover the broad fields with a growing or 
golden harvest; run pleasant roads, lined with farm buildings 
and elegant school houses in every direction; let villages and 
church spires spring up in almost every town along the si; ore. 
At the influx of the river a busy and populous young city 
filled with the merchandise of the world; mills and machinery 
driven by steam along the line of its still waters, and the 
strong currents driving numerous water-wheels; steam boats' 
and smaller crafts in jail directions daily traversing the lake 
and rivers, which serve also as the great thoroughfare for pine 
forests to pass and furnish supplies for an immense destitute 
region, and Ave have a daguerreotype of Winnebago c 
as it is in 1S56. 

But the transformation from its past to its present com 
has not been accomplished by a Lry while 

men slumbered and slept; neither is it the result of 
investment of a millionaire at his ease in an eastern palace; 
but it is entirely the product of veritable human muse: 
nerve, in determined and ceaseless conflict with nee 
vation, and want, where persevering industry, single-h. 
and alone, has sheltered the houseless, fed the hungry, cloth- 
ed the naked, cut roads, built bridges and steamboats, con- 
quered poverty on every field, and given to hard labor its 
just and legitimate claim to wealth and aristocracy of position. 

The County of Winnebago lies on the west side of Lake 
Winnebago, which separates it on the east from the county of 
Calumet; on the north lies the county of Outagamie and the 
eastern part of Waupacca; on the west is Waushara and part of 
Marquette; on the south is the county of Fond clu Lac. The 
44th deg. of north latitude passes through the county of Win- 
nebago. The surface of this county is gently rolling and 
beautifully diversified with woodland, openings, prairie and 
native hayfields. The openings predominate; the timber-land 
lies principally along the border of the lake, and on the north 
side of the county; the prairie land is mostly near the middle 
and on the south side; small strips of hay marsh are found in 
nearly all parts of the county but mostly along the rivers; 
openings constitute the balance of the county. The Wolf- 
river enters this county near the northwest corner in the town 



54 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

of Orilmla, passes through Lake Poygan to the town of Win- 
neconne, near the center of the county, where it surrenders 
its waters and its name to the Upper Fox, which from the 
south enters the county near the south east corner of the town 
of Hushford and passes diagonally across Omro to meet and 
unite with its northern sister, then jiassing through the expan- 
sion of Lake Butte des Morts, silently glides on to pour it* 
majestic current into Lake Winnebago at Oshkosh. 

These streams being navigable for steam boats through the 
county and far into the country toward their respective sourc- 
es, together with the Lake on the eastern side, afford facilities 
for travel in all directions, unequalled by any county in the 
State. The soil varies in the various localities, embracing 
the deep black vegetable mould, marly loam, clay, sandy 
loam and in a few places sand prevails. The subsoil of the 
whole county possesses that strong and. active fertility which 
marks the decomposition of lime-rock, and from any depth 
when thrown to the surface and exposed to atmospheric ac- 
tion, readily supplies the growth of the various kinds of grain, 
grasses, and fruit. This county is generally well watered, 
although the waters hold lime m solution sufficient to make 
it what is termed "hard." Artesian wells are easily obtained, 
in some places by boring thirty or forty feet, a beautiful and 
never-failing stream of pure water gushes up from the great 
fountain beneath. The inhabitants of this county possess as 
great a share of health and vigor as can be found in any part 
of the United States. Until within less than a score of years 
this county was the abode of various tribes and parts of tribes 
of Indians. Here the Winnebagoes and Menomonees had 
their cornfields and council fires, their wigwams and war- 
dances, their pipes of peace and their pow-wows. 

As everything in relation to these interesting but fast van- 
ishing people, is of importance to the enquiring mind, we will 
relate some circumstances which transpired among them with- 
in the knowledge, and to some extent under the immediate 
observation of the narrators, whose opportunities have af- 
forded them intimate knowledge of their habits, manners 
and customs, ever since the first settlers of white people 
came among them, and who* have politely furnished us with 
the facts. 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY, 55 

Winnebago Co. was, before the advent of the whites, occu- 
pied by bands of Indians belonging to various tribes. The 
site of the present City of Oshkosh, was the home of a band 
of Winnebagoes under Pe-e-shen, whose planting ground was 
at Algoma. A large band of the same tribe numbering some, 
three hnndred lodges, lived at Black Wolf, which town takes 
its name from their Chief. Still another band of the same 
tribe lodged at Neenah. The Menomonees had large villages 
at Butte des Morts, Winneconne and at Poygan. They 
claimed and held all the land hereabout, and the Winneba- 
goes only lived here by permission. For this privilege, and 
as satisfaction for the lives of two young Menomonees whom 
they had delivered in a treacherous manner to the Sacs, 
they paid an annual tribute to the Menominees, consisting of 
specified quantities of Corn, Potatoes and Dried Pumpkin. 
An arrangement very consonant to the feelings of the Menom- 
onees — that tribe having no love for work only in the ab- 
stract. After receiving this tribute many years, the Menom- 
onees remitted it at the instance of the Traders, who wished 
the Winnebagoes to spend more of their time in hunting. 

Many of the most striking facts in the history of these 
tribes have their locality in this County — many of their most 
eminent traditional characters lived here. The massacre of 
the Sacs and Foxes, at Winneconne and Butte des Morts, 
and the battle of Little Butte des Morts below Neenah, are 
conspicuous among the former ; and among the latter, Black 
Wolf, head Civil and War Chief of all the Winnebagoes ; 
Pe-e-shen, another Chief of the same tribe; and Grisly-Bear, 
Mow-wah-sah and Pow-waga-nieu lived among the Menomonees 
the last being the greatest warrior they have had in recent 
times. His memory is kept green among his successors by 
many brave deeds that go far to make tip quite a respectable 
aggregate of Tribal glory. Tradition describes him as the 
incarnation of all the righting virtues, from those of Napoleon 
to those of Tom Hyer inclusive. He never considered 
scalps of women and children an honorbale ornament, 
and it is well known that when, during the war of 1812, his 
party surprised a schooner in Mackinaw, he jumped down in- 
to the cabin, and with his own hatchet defended the crew 
from his own warriors until he saved all their lives. He was 



56 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

the Indian as romancers love to paint him: large, handsome, 
brave and generous; a character now through the baleful in- 
fluences and vices of the white man, fast becoming traditional; 
and one that we cannot help inferring from living examples, 
borrows a good deal of its enchantment from distance. Es- 
pecially when dressed for war, with his head dress of war- 
eagle's feathers, did lie look formidable; and it is related 
that when thus bedecked, few could withstand his gaze. The 
following anecdote related of him and Black Wolf, shows 
their respective traits in pretty good relief. 

Kish-ke-ne-kat or Cut-finger, head war chief cf the Pottawot- 
s of Chicago, was a great brave, and, like some success- 
ful white braves, somewhat of a bully. Among other of his 
habits was an ugly one, of insulting the greatest brave of any 
tribe he might be visiting, and such was the awing effect of 
his reputation that none had as yet resented it. As was his 
wont ho sent one of his ten to Black Wolf to inform 

him of a, Visit he intended to pay that Chief, moved thereto, 
ick Wolf's great reputation as a brave. Black Wolf 
'ng Cut-finger's habits, thought it best to get his Menom- 
mee friend, Pow-wa-ga-nieu, to assist in dispensing his hos- 
pitalities to the Pottawottamic. Therein he shewed his great 
wisdom. The Illinois Chief made his appearance at- Black-' 
Wolf 's village with three hundred warriors, and not being 
expected there did not find the Chief; so according to custom 
lie started after him to Algoma, wither he had gone to the 
corn-husking, on the planting ground of his friend Pe-e-shen. 
Black Wolf, by this time apprised of their coming, assembled 
his, and the Menomonee braves to receive them. On their 
arrival they sat down on a pleasant spot within hailing dis- 
tance of their hosts. A young Winnebago who could speak 
the Pottawottamie tongue, presented the pipe to the great 
Chief, with the usual compliments. While the pipe was go- 
ing round, Cut-finger enquired which was Black Wolf? The 
interpreter pointed him out. "Who is that who seems to be 
as great as he, sitting by his side?" "That's Pow-wa-ga-nieu 
the great Menomonee." Cut-finger's eyes snapped with delight 
at the prospect of humbling the great warrior before his young 
men. Bidding the Winnebago to tell Black-wolf that he 
would shake his hand; before the youngmen arose he started and 

















fit 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 59 

paid the usual courtesies to that chief. After these prelimin- 
aries were settled on both sides, Cut-finger asked " who is this 
who occupies a place of so much honor 1 ? he must be a great 
Indian." "This is the bravest Menomonee, Pow-wa-ga-nieu." 
"Ah, is that the great Pow-wa-go-nieu, who fills the songs of 
the nations? let me look at him." He walked all round the 
chief, examining him with the critical air of a horse jockey. 
Pow-wa-ga-nieu, all this time keeping profound silence, hav- 
ing a good idea what it was going to amount to. "Well," at last 
broke forth Cut-finger, "you are a fine Indian, a great In- 
dian, a strong Indian, but you don't look like a brave Indian. 
I have seen many braver looking Indians than you in my 
travels — I am a great traveler — I think you must have got a 
great deal of your reputation from your size. You don't look 
brave — you look sleepy. You have no tongue, you don't 
speak." Then telling the young Menomonees that he was 
going to satisfy himself as to the courage of their chief, he 
took hold of the bunch of hair that the old warrior always 
kept on his crown for the convenience of any Sac or Fox who 
might find it necessary to scalp him, and gave him a good 
shaking, saying all the time, "You are sleepy, you have no 
tongue;" and dealing a plentiful supply of aboriginal banter. 
Pow-wa-ga-nieu, aided by his great strength and a neck that 
could withstand any thing. but rum, sustained but little dam- 
age from this and submitted with Indian calmness, until his 
tormentor had got through. After satisfying himself, Cut- 
finger'announced to Black- Wolf that he would go and sit among 
his warriors until Black-Wolf gave the word to rise. 

Pow-wa-ga-nieu immediately set himself about fixing the 
flint of his Pottawottamie friend. He opened his sack and drew 
forth his cap of war-eagle feathers — itself equal to a small 
band of Sacs and Foxes — put it on his head and picked up 
his lance and club. His young men feared an unpleasant re- 
sult, but none dared to speak except his brother, who admon- 
ished him to "do nothing rash." One glance of Pbw-wa-ga- 
nieu's eye and an emphatic "I'm mad now!" sent that respect- 
able Menomonee to his seat, excusing himself by saying that 
Pow-wa-ga-nieu "knew what a fool he always made of him- 
self when he got a-going." Stretching himself up to his full 
height, he stalked toward the Pottawottamies in a style that 
excited the universal admiration of his friends", especially old 



60 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

Black-Wolf, who not only admired his friend, but also his own 
tact in shifting this particular scrape on to that friend's shoul- 
ders. 

"My friends," said the old brave to the Pottawottamies, " I 
am glad to see you here ; you look brave — you are brave ; 
many of you I have met on the war-path, and know you are 
brave ; some of your youngest I do not know, it being many 
years since I went to war ; but they look like warriors. My 
friends, I am glad to see you look so well. I have heard 
much of your chief, but I don't think him very brave ; I 
think him a coward. He looks sleepy, and I am going to 
see if he is worthy to lead such braves as you." Whereupon 
throwing his weapons on the ground, he seized the Pottawotta- 
mie chief by the hair, which he wore very long as if in pro- 
phetic anticipation of some such retribution as this. He shook 
him with all his might, and continued to shake until his young 
men remonstrated, saying they were satisfied. He stopped 
without relinquishing his hold, turned round his head, looked 
his followers down into silence, and shook again with the vim 
of a man whose whole heart was in the performance of an 
evident and pious duty. The life was nearly out of Kish-ke- 
ne-kat, but the brave Menomonce bore that individual's suf- 
ferings with the same fortitude that he had borne his own. 
Satisfied at last, he raised his enemy up by the hair and threw 
him from him ; at the same time he picked up his club and 
lance and waited to see "what he was going to do about it." 
Cut-finger raised himself on his elbow and rubbed his head, 
not daring to look up while the Menomdnee invited him to 
look up and see a man if he was one himself, "to come and 
decide this matter like men," which being unattended to, he 
went back to his seat at the right hand of Black-Wolf, who 
had been all this time smoking with the utmost indifference, 
as in'deed it was no affair of his. 

Kish-ke-ne-kat continued to recline on his arm. Pow-wa- 
ga-nieu eyeing him all the time, and when the Pottawottamie 
would steal a glance at the great war cap, the eye under it 
would make him turn again, at the same time his ears were 
assailed with, "why don't you look up?" "what are you afraid 
of?" "come and talk to me," and such taunts. Cut-linger 
saw that his position among his young men was getting to be 
rather delicate, and the last invitation, as a means of reconcil- 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 61 

ing all parties, met his view; so rising and laying his hand on 
his sore head, he said: "My friends — there is no dodging tho 
fact that Pow-wa-ga-nieu is a brave Indian, a very brave In- 
dian, braver than I, and I'll go and tell him so." Gathering 
himself up he walked over to the two Chief 's and told Pow- 
wa-ga-nieu that he had come over to shake him by the hand. 
"You are a great chief, I have shook many chief's: none have 
resented till now; if you had submitted you would have been 
disgraced in the eyes of my young men; now they will honor. 
I am a great traveler, I am going to all the tribes of the south, 
I will tell those who have spoken well of you how you have 
used me, they will believe me, for I have pulled all of their 
heads, and as you have pulled mine, you are as great as if you 
had pulled theirs also; let us shake hands and be friends." 
Pow-wa-ga-nieu, who was a good fellow at bottom, recipro- 
cated the good feelings of the now friendly chief, and a last- 
ing friendship sprung up between them and showed itself in 
the interchange of presents every year, as long as they both 
lived. 

The war-eagle cap which contributed so much toward this 
victory* is now in the hands of Pow-wa-ga-nieu's son, and can 
be seen any time by those who doubt the truth of the fore- 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY 



FIRST SETTLEMENT. 



The first inhabitants of Winnebago County other than In- 
dians, were Augustine Grignon, one of the French settlers of 
Green Bay, an Englishman by the name of Powell, who located 
there for the purpose of traffic with the Indians, James Knaggs. 
a half-breed, who kept a ferry just above the present site of 
Algoma, where the trail leading from Fort Winnebago to 
Green Bay crossed the river. Grignon located at Butte des 
Morts, and Powell a little lower down the river. About the 
same time, a white man by the name of Archibald Caldwell 
settled among the Indians near the rapids, the present site of 
Xeenah. In 1835, the U. S. government established an agen- 
•v for the benefit of the Menomoncc Indians, at Neenah, 
in the benevolent enterprise of education in agriculture, 
mechanics, morals, and science, and the general prin- 
ciples of civilization. William Dickinson was the contractor 
to prepare the way for the perfection of this grand enterprise. 
by the improvement of the water-power, the erection of a 
saw and grist-mill, blacksmith shop, farm houses, and school 
house. This contract was entered into as early as 1S31 or 
1832. The work was commenced by Mr. Dickinson, but be- 
fore its completion, the business was transferred by a subse- 
quent contract to David Whitney. 

The scheme embraced the instruction of the Indians by 
theory and practice. Competent and practical instructors 
were employed. Two brothers, of the name of Gregory, the. 
one an Episcopal Clergyman, the other an experienced teach- 
er, were at the head of the department of science, morals, and 
religion. Religious meetings were regularly held on the Sab- 
bath. Clark Dickinson, Nathaniel Perry, Robert Irwin, Gen. 
Ruggles, and a Mr. Baird, father of Hon. II. Baird of Green 
Bay, were employed as farmers. Col. David Johnson was 
miller, Jourdan and Hunter were the blacksmiths. The con- 
tractors gave employment in 1835 to about twenty-five or 
thirty laborers in the various departments of the enterprize. 
This arrangement continued about two years, during which 
S&9 Indians who did not come into the arrangement for civil- 








WEBSTER STANLEY. 

From Daguerreotype by J. F. Habwson. 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 65 

ization were numerous about Neenah, living in their wild 
manner. The small-pox made its appearance among them 
and swept off about one-third of their number. Col. Boyce, 
of Green Bay, being Indian Agent, sent to their relief a sur- 
geon of the IT. S. troops, to give them the benefit of vaccina- 
tion. But Mr. A. Caldwell, a resident and trader at Neenah, 
benevolently took charge of the sufferers, spending much of 
his time in nursing and nourishing the sick, contributed great- 
ly to alleviate their sufferings at the hazard of his own life ; 
he took the disease, suffered severely and barely escaped the 
fate of the unfortunate victims. 

For some reason the government abandoned the enterprise 
after about two years unsuccessful effort. 

In July, 1S36, Webster Stanley, who had been at work for 
the contractor on mills at Neenah, removed to the south side 
of Fox River, opposite Knagg's ferry just above where Algo- 
ma bridge now crosses the river. He took the ferry of Knaggs, 
who was a half-breed, and commenced keeping it himself. — 
His object was to make a permanent settlement by locating 
land. In August he was joined by Chester Gallup. The 
Indians at that time owned on the opposite side of the river, 
where Oshkosh now stands. Stanley had brought with him 
provisions and means for living for at least a year. About 
the month of August Gov'r. Dodge and others following the 
Indian trail on their way to Cedar Bapids, arrived at the fer- 
ry. They were on their way to treat with the Menomonees 
for the purchase of the lands on the north side of the river. 
On their return they infoimed Mr. Stanley that they had suc- 
ceeded in making the treaty by which the lands had become 
the property of the United States. Messrs. Stanley & Gallup 
profited by this early information, and immediately made 
claims on the land from where Ferry street now runs down on 
the north side of the river to the Lake. 

Gallups farm consisted of about one hundred and seventy 
acres, embracing the beautiful elevation on the point between 
the lake and the river on the north side. Stanley took from 
Gallup's west line up'the river to Ferry street, about one hun- 
dred and seventeen acres. They proceeded to erect a dwell- 
ing, for which purpose Stanley took down his board shanty at 
the ferry and removed it to his claim, where the two families 
occupied it in common until about the first of November, when 

E 



66 WINNEBAGO COUNTY.. 

Mr. Gallup removed into his own log house. By christmas, 
Mr. Stanley had built a log house and had so far completed its 
apartments, that he took possession witty his family, and con- 
tinued to occupy the same for his dwelling until 1846. Mr. 
Stanley was a man of enterprise, was one of the founders of 
business in Oshkosh. He was horn in Hartford, Connecticut, 
in September, 1798. Moved with his father to Broome Coun- 
ty, N. Y., in 1801, thence to Ogdcn, fourteen miles west 
of Rochester, thence to Medina county, Ohio. Ln Octo- 
ber, 1834, he came to Green Bay. In September, JsfJo, he 
removed to the rapids and worked on the shingle machine tor 
Mr. Dickinson, the contractor. July, 1836, started in a boat 
for Winnebago county. He now resides on the south side of 
the river, near the bridge; his strength is not departed nor his 
vigor abated. In the spring of 1838, Mr. George Wright lo- 
cated with his family on a farm now in the city of Oshkosh, 
west of Ferry Street, on the north side of the river. The 
Same year David and Thomas Evans came to litis place and 
located. The first marriage celebrated in this county was 
that of Joseph Jackson, Esq., late Mayor of the city of Osh- 
kosh, to Miss Emcline Wright, daughter of George Wright, 
Esq. The marriage was announced in a Green Bay paper 
as having taken place at '"Athens," the name which many 
wished to have applied to this neAv settlement. The ceremo.-. 
ny was performed at the house of Chester Gallup, by Rev. S. 
Feet, of Green Bay, and attended by nearly every citizen in 
the county, on the 8th of March, 1838. In the Spring of 1839 
Mr. George Wright was appointed Justice of the Peace by 
Governor Dodge; it was the first appointment of a magistrate 
in this county. The iirst court was held on the 12th of No- 
vember 1839. 

James Knaggs, vs. Francis Le Roy.— -George Wright, Esq., 
Justice of the Peace. Capt. Wm. Powell appeared as attor- 
ney for the defendant Mr. Knaggs, in person. The necessary 
refreshments were kept in a jug behind a tree; the witness 
fees were deposited in the same apartment. Capt. Powell 
was triumphant in his defence; the laurels whereof are in full 
bloom upon his brow up to the present hour. Another very 
exciting scene soon occured; it became necessary that the new 
settlement, which had a local habitation, should also have a 
aatne for Post Office. A general meeting was notified, and 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 67 

attended, at the house of George Wright, Esq., by English, 
French and half-breeds. Mr. David Evans furnished a box 
of cigars, the jug was in its accustomed place behind the tree; 
much electioneering from the diversity of opinions with re- 
gard to the most appropriate name. Athens, Fairview, Osce- 
ola, Oshkosh and Stanford were the favorite names of differ- 
ent parties. Robert Grignon was in favor of Oshkosh; his. 
influence with the half-breeds turned the scale and settled the 
name, and the last drink was in honor of Oshkosh. At this 
time Chester Ford had become a resident; also W. A. Boyd, 
George F. Wright, C. J. Coon, C. Dickinson, C. R. Luce, the 
Brooks family, Simon Quartermass, Ira Aiken, W. C. Isbel, 
.1 oseph Schooley and others; In 1840 the population of Win- 
nebago county was 135. In the same year a Post Office was 
established and John P. Gallup appointed P. M. The mail 
was carried from Fond du Lac by Oshkosh to Bridgeport. 
Chester Ford carried the mail once a week. On one occasion 
he made the trip with rather a light ir.ail, having only one 
letter and a newspaper. In 1840, January Gth, an act ap- 
proved for the organization of Winnebago county. By acts 
of Legislature approved 18th February 1842, the counties of 
Calumet and Winnebago were organized from and after the 
first of March, 1842, for all purposes of county government, 
and attached to Brown county for judicial purposes, and the 
first election to be held at Manchester, in Calumet county. 
The election of Winnebago county without authority of law, 
was held at the house of Webster Stanley, and all the neces- 
sary business transacted, and was subsequently legalized by 
the legislature. 

By an act of the legislature in 1843, future elections and 
town meetings for the town of Winnebago, (which then com- 
prised the whole county,) were to be held at the house of 
Webster Stanley, who had been previously authorized by the 
legislature to keep a ferry until otherwise ordered by the vote 
of the electors. In September 1844, an election was held for 
the election of county officers, and for or against a State Gov- 
ernment. The whole number of votes cast was 23, of which 
W. C. Isbel received, for Register of Deeds, 13 votes and 
Clark Dickinson received eight votes. 

There were four votes for a State Government and nineteen 
votes against it. George F. Wright was elected Clerk of the 



68 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

Board of Supervisors, receiving eighteen votes without oppo- 
sition. W. W. Wright County Treasurer, receiving eighteen 
rotes, no opposition. Ira F. Aiken was elected Coroner, re- 
ceiving fifteen votes; scattering two. Samuel L. Brooks wae 
elected District Surveyor receiving nineteen votes with no 
opposition. 

The first session of the Board of Supervisors was held at 
the house of Webster Stanley, May 1st, 1843, composed of 
W. C. Ishel and Chester Ford, they being a quorum, appoin- 
ted G. F. Wright their Clerk, approved the bond of W. W. 
Wright, with C. J. Coon and Edward E. Brenan as sureties 
for the office of County Treasurer, and adjourned to May 6th, 
when the same members again met and voted a tax of fifty 
dollars for county purposes, and adopted a county seal, the 
device was an eagle holding a serpent in its claws. The seal 
itself is now in the Clerk's office, being a penny coin issued in 
1837 by Doctor Feuchtwaugers, of New York, a composition 
about the size of a dime. Adjourned sine die. 

May 19th a special session of the Board was held, Isbel 
and Ford in attendance, when the following resolution passed 
unanimously. 

Resolved, That the Register of Deeds be, and he is hereby 
required to record all land conveyances presented to him for 
that purpose entire. Adjourned. G. F. Wright, Clerk. 

At the annual meeting of the Board, September 14th 1843, 
W. C. Isbel, C. Ford and L. B. Porlier voted to raise a tax of 
ten mills on the dollar. 

Allowed the accounts of W. C. Isbel, $6 00 

C.Ford, S 00 

L. B. Porlier, 2 00 

G.F.Wright, 11 25 

C.Dickinson, 3 75 

H. A. Gallup, 2 25 

C. J. Coon, 1 50 

Adjourned. 

The Treasurer's Report for 14 44, exhibits receipts to tlie 
amount of $49 76. The expenditures, 49 76. 

This year the board raised a tax for county purposes of 
one hundred and twenty-five dollars. 

In 1845 the Legislature passed an act providing for the lo- 
cation of a county seat for Winnebago county, Three com- 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 69 

missioners were to be elected to make the location. In April 
1845 the election was held at the house of "Webster Stanley, 
and Clark Dickinson and Robert Grignon were elected, the 
highest vote being 39, there were 20 votes cast for J. Jackson 
and 20 votes for Harrison Reed. A subsequent election was 
held to decide between the candidates at which H. Reed re- 
ceived 31 votes and was elected. 

The commissioners reported that they had located the seat 
)i justice on Section 24, Town 19, Range 16, now Butte des- 
Morts. The people being dissatisfied with the location, by 
act of Legislature, the seat of justice was finally settled and 
still remains at what is now the city of Oshkosh, 

An act approved February 8th, 1847, provided for the or- 
ganization of Winnebago county for judicial purposes to form 
a part of the third judicial district of Wisconsin, also estab- 
lishing the county seat at its present location. 

N. P. Tuttle was the first Sheriff, elected in the county of 
Winnebago, September 6th 1S47. In November 1S4S, M. N. 
Moultkrop was elected to the same office, the duties of which 
he discharged until 1850, when he was succeeded by A. B 
Cooley. In 1852 A. F. David held the office until succeeded 
in 1854 by John P. Gallup, the present incumbent. 

January 12th 1848, A. G. Miller, Judge of the Third Ju- 
dicial District, appointed Edward Eastman Clerk of the 
Court. October 16th, 1848, Chief Justice Stowe appointed 
Dudley C. Blodgett to that office. In November, 1848, he 
was succeeded by E. R. Baldwin, elected by the votes of the 
people of the several towns in the county. In 1850 Mr. 
Baldwin was re-elected to the office, and again in 1852. In 
1854 he was succeeded by the election of C. A. Weisbrqd the 
present incumbent. 

George F. Wright who was elected to the office of Clerk of 
the Board of Supervisors in 1843, continued to discharge its 
iuties until 1848, when he was succeeded by Silas W. White. 
In 1849 Wm. Dennison was elected to the office, he was suc- 
ceeded in 1850 by E. A. Rowley. In 1852, J. II. Osborn 
was elected, aud re-elected in 1854, and is still discharging 
the duties of that office. 

Clark Dickinson, who was elected Register of Deeds in 
1843, was succeeded in 1844 by W. C. Isbel. In 1846 S. L. 
Brooks was elected to the office. In 1S47, II. D. Dickinson 



70 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

was elected, but died previous to the expiration of the term 
of office, and his brother Clark Dickinson was appointed to 
till the vacancy. In 1848 at the general election Mr. Dickin- 
son was again elected to the office, re-elected in 1850; was 
succeeded in 1852 by E. A. Rowley, who was re-elected in 
1854 and still holds the office. 

The office of County Treasurer has been held as follows: 
From 1843 to 1847 by W. W. Wright. Edward West was 
elected in the Fall of '47. At the general election in 1848 
F. F. Hamilton was elected for two years. In 1850 Wm. P. 
McAllister. Jonathan Daugherty was elected in 1852, re- 
elected in 1854, died in March 1856; and Barna Haskell ap- 
pointed to fill the office, and is the present incumbent. 

The first establishment of a Post Office in this county was 
in 1840, John P. Gallup Post Master. He. was succeeded by 
his brother Henry A. Gallup. In 1846 Mr. Edward Eastman 
was appointed to the office; in 1849 Mr. Eastman resigned 
and G. A. Arnold appointed; soon succeeded by A. A. Austin, 
and in 1853, Mr. E. Eastman, the present incumbent was 
again appointed to the office. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The subject of organizing a County Agricultural Society < 
although it had been previously talked about, was not acted 
upon until the first day of March 1855, when a public meet- 
ing was called at the office of the Clerk of the Board of Su- 
pervisors. C. C Church chosen Chairman and G. P. Vining 
Secretary. One person was appointed in each Town and 
Ward of the county to procure the names of persons who 
would become members, and Armine Pickett, Jon. Daugherty 
and J. H. Osborn were appointed a Committee to prepare a 
Constitution and By-Laws for this Society. 

The next meeting was held April 11th, 1855. A constitu- 
tion was adopted, and regular officers elected. A meeting 
was again called July 11th 1855, when the subject of holding 
a fair that year was discussed at some length, and though 
success appeared doubtful, yet it was finally determined that 
a fair should be held, and accordingly the fair was announced 
to be held on the 10th and 11th of October, on the public 
square in Oshkosh. The Board of Control determined to 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. % 

offer premiums to the amount of one hundred dollars. For a 
first attempt the fair proved successful, beyond the expecta- 
tions of the friends of the eriterprize. An address was deliv- 
ered by Prof. E. Daniels, to a very large audience. Some 
tine stock was exhibited and the weather proving to be fine, 
a very large concourse from the country assembled on the 
second day of the fair. The result was such as to encourage 
the hope that the fair of 1856 will prove that the people of 
the county are alive to the benefits of the society and behind 
those of no other in the State in advancing agricultural in- 
terests. 

At the annual meeting of the society a new set of officers 
were elected, who have announced the fair of 1S56 to be held 
on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of September at the city of Osh- 
kosh. 

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. 



The Winnebago County Educational Association was or- 
ganized at Omro, in February 1S56 Its object was a perma- 
nent association of the friends of public education, under 
whose auspices, the general interests of education should be 
promoted by holding "Teachers' Institutes" periodically, for 
the interchange of the views of the friends of education, and 
thereby elevate the standard of qualifications of Teachers. 

The first session of the Teacher's Institute of this county 
was held at Oshkosh during the third week in April, 1856. 
Practical instruction was given each day in the various branch- 
es taught in common schools, and in the approved methods 
of teaching. A portion of the time was appropriated to the 
discussion of subjects which its members deemed important to 
the promotion of education. The evenings were mostly oc- 
cupied by public addresses. 

Similar associations and institutes in other counties have 
done much for the elevation of the standard of com- 
mon school education. None of them have commenced 
under more favorable auspices, than the one established in 
Winnebago County, which now promises much good to her 
common schools. 



72 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

THE PRESS. 

On the ninth clay of February* 1849, Messrs. Densmorc cV. 
Oooley issued the first number of the Oslikosh True Democrat. 
It was a small sheet, but was conducted with an energy and 
ability that soon made what was at first supposed to be an 
unprofitable venture, a decided success. Mr. Densmore, who 
was the editor, and through whose exertions alone the paper 
was successful, at the end of the first volume, sold his interest 
to his partner, and went to Milwaukee. After an absence of 
three months he returned, bought the whole concern back and 
continued its publication until the spring of 1S53, when he 
sold out and left the county for a more extended field of ac- 
tion. Mr. D. was a man of great energy, untiring industry, 
and one of the ablest newspaper writers in the State. His 
successor, Mr. Jonathan Daugherty, continued to conduct the 
paper until the Fall of 1855. He was a man of more than 
average ability, a pleasant writer, and possessed the confidence 
of all bis cotemporaries of all parties. The growth of the 
city of Oslikosh has been to a great extent reflected in the 
growth of the Democrat, which, from a small, poorly print- 
ed sheet, is now as large, well printed, and successful a paper 
as any of the country press. 

The Winnebago Telegraph was started in the Fall of 1849 
by Dr. B. S. Henning, who issued a few numbers and sold 
the concern to Morley & Edwards. Mr. Edwards continued 
the publication of the Telegraph about two years, when he 
removed his materials to Appleton ; but before he had got 
ready to issue a paper a fire destroyed his office and all its 
contents. 

The Oslikosh Delegate was started August 16, 1850, by 
Geo. M. Shipper. He issued a few numbers, but being a 
dissipated character, failed to sustain it. A committee of gen- 
tlemen who had interested themselves in starting the Dele- 
gate then took charge of the office; but after a few weeks 
made arrangements with J. D. Hyman, Esq., a young man of 
tine abilities, who, in connection with Hiram Morley, publish- 
ed the Oslikosh Rejwblican. Under the charge of these gen- 
tlemen the paper was sustained for a few months, but was 
finally suspended, and the materials moved to Fond du Lac. 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 7o 

The Fox River Courier was started by J. H. McAvoy, 
about the first of June, 1852. Mr. M. afterwards sold the 
Courier to Jeremiah Crowley, at present editor of the Mc- 
nasha Advocate. The Courier continued under the control or 
Mr. C. until August, 1S53, when Messrs. Read & Nevitt 
bought the establishment. Under the management of these 
gentlemen the paper continues; and has been as profitable a 
cjmcern as any of the country papers in the State. On the 
loth of February, 1S54, the proprietors of the Courier started 
a. Daily, which still continues to make its regular visits; 
showing that the city, though but ten years old, possesses vi- 
tality enough to sustain its papers creditably. 

About the time the Courier was started, Messrs. Kohlmanr. 
issued the first number of a German paper called the Anza 
ger des Norckoestemi They published the paper a few months 
and sold to Mr. Joachimi, who, not succeeding very well mov- 
ed the materials to Sauk City where they now are in use. 

The PJut/ux am Nordwestens, a German paper by Gustav 
Grahl, was started in the Summer of 1854, and is still pub- 
lished by the same, gentleman. 

The Meiiasha Advocate was started by Mr. J. Crowley 
about the tirst of November, 1S53, and has remained under 
the charge of this gentlemen until the present time. 

The Conservator, by Harrison Eeed, Esq., and the Bulletin, 
<y W. H. Mitchel, both made their first appearance May 16, 
village of Neenali, 



74 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



A L G O M A . 

Algoma is bounded north and north east by Lake Butte des 
Morts and Fox River; east by Oshkosh and No.kimi; west by 
Omro. 

Algoma was originally a part of the old town of Brighton, 
re-organized by the Legislature in 1847; the first town meet- 
in"- being ordered to be held at the house of John Smith. In 
1849, attached T. 18. II. 16 south of the river, to the town ot 
Winnebago, and directed the first town meeting to be held at 
Oshkosh; but the County Board of Supervisors meeting in 
February, 1850, E. L, Buttrick, the chairman for Brighton 
belonging to the village of Algoma, procured the passage oi 
an order from the Board, setting oft' all of T. 18, II. 16, south 
of river, and west of Sec. 24, 25, and 26, into a separate town 
to be called after the village name, since which time the town fe&s 
retained those boundaries with the exception of such part as 
has been absorbed by the city of Oshkosh. The first perma- 
nent settlers of the old town were Chester Ford and Win. A. 
Boyd; they were followed by Milan Ford and J. H. Osborn, 
who each erected a log house in the Spring of 1846. The 
same Spring came also Jedediah Bottsford, John Smith, E. 
S. Durfee, Noah and Clark Miles, Elihu Hall, Doctor James 
Whipple, and others, many of whom looked out their farms 
and went back after their families. The town was rapidly 
settled, as its agricultural advantages were equal to any in the 
county; while its position in regard to the river and lake en- 
hanced its value. 

No town in the county contains less waste land and none 
is better Avatered with springs. The town was mostly burr- 
oak openings with here and there a small prairie or natura] 
meadow, while in Sec. 28 and 29 was a large grove of forest 
timber. The village of Algoma (now included in the fifth 
ward of the city of Oshkosh) was started in the Summer of 
1846 by C. J. Coon, Thomas C. Baker, James Whittemore, 
1). W. Forman, Wm. Daggett and others. A store was start- 
ed and well supplied with goods by" Mr. Baker; an excellent 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY.. 7 ';"> 

saw mill was started by Messrs. Forman & Daggett, and a 
Hotel erected by Mr. Coon. The location being at the old 
crossing of the trail from Fort Winnebago to Green Bay, it 
at first bid fair to become the main point on the river, but with 
poor management or position, Oshkosh finally took the lead 
and at length absorbed its early rival. Farms can be bought 
in the town of Algoma, from fifteen to fifty dollars per acre, 
according to the character and amonnt of improvements. In 
this town in 1855 there were five schools, 316 scholars. Pop- 
ulation 850. 



B L A C K - W O L F . 

This town lies in the south-cast corner of the county, is a 
fractional township of land, more than half being covered by 
the waters of Lake Winnebago; principally timber land or 
heavy openings; the soil is excellent. 

It was also, originally a part of Brighton. After Algoma 
was set oft', the name Brighton was changed to Xekimi, after 
the Post Office. In 1850 the Board of Supervisors for the 
county ordered that all of Township 17, Range 17, and Sec- 
tions 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, T. 17, R. 16 should be taken 
from Nekimi and called Black Wolf, and the town lines have 
remained unchanged since. The first settlers of the town 
were Clark Dickinson, C. R. Luce, Ira Aiken, the Arm- 
strong's, Charles W. Gay and T. and H. Hicks. Mr. Dick- 
inson was one of the first permanent settlers of the county. 
He moved on his farm in the Spring of 1841; he had just 
completed a good log house, and got his family and fifrniture 
moved into it when he had the misfortune to lose his house 
and nearly all his furniture by fire. The town takes its name 
from one of the beautiful points which project into the lake — 
said to have been the favorite camping ground of an Indian 
Chief of that name. Some of these points on the lake shore 
are so very beautiful as to strike a stranger with admiration. 
They are generally openings and have been favorite camping 
spots of the Indians; they contain a beautiful coat of grass or 
white clover, which seems to be natural to the soil. The 
4 'Lakc shore road" to Fond du Lac, traverses the town from 
north to south. The town has a Post Office named after it- 
self, near which is a saw mill and a landing for steamboats. 



71) WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

With the exception of the north end and along the lake shore 
the town is covered with a fine forest. The inhabitants now 
are mostly Swiss and German. Farms can be bought from 
iivc to thirty dollars per acre, according to the location and 
improvements. In 1S55, there were live schools, and 144 
scholars. Population 552. 

CLAYTON. 

Bounded north by Outagamie county, east by Neenah aiid 
Menasha, south by Vinland and west by Winchester; is six 
miles square. The northern part of the town is heavily tim- 
bered with oak, bass, mople, elm and hickory, affording many 
excellent sugar groves. The soil is nearly uniform; a deep 
loam with a small mixture of sand, and subsoil of marly clay 
The southern part of the town has less timber, being princi- 
pally oak openings, beautifully interspersed with rich native 
hay marshes, where a deep black vegetable mould gives a 
luxurious growth to an excellent quality of wild hay, upon 
which thousands of cattle may fatten, through the Summer- 
and still a sufficient quantity remain for the 'scythe, for their 
winter's supply. These marshes may be easily drained, when 
they would be capable of cultivation for any of the grains 
yet they are especially adapted to the growth of grass, and 
In their present condition, timothy and reel-top are gaining of 
the wild grass whenever the seed is introduced to the soil. 
Fov agricultural purposes, Clayton, is one of the first class 
townships, producing all the grains, grasses, roots, &c, usual- 
ly cultivated in this latitude, is well adapted to the growth of 
apples, pears, cherries, plums, and the various fruit bearing 
shrubs and trees, and has a good supply of timber for fences, 
buildings and fuel. Rat river runs through the northwester- 
ly part of this town, several small streams in other parts, but 
running streams are not as frequent as would be desirable. 
Good water is abundant at moderate depths, and there is 
generally stone enough on almost any farm to Avail up wells, 
cellars, &c. There was no mark of culture or civilization 
here until July, 1846, when D. C. Darrow and William Berry 
moved their families on to the farms where they now reside. 
About the same time Mr. Alexander Murrey came into Clay- 
ton; 23d September, Mr. John Axtell, from Maine, arrived 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 77 

and settled here. In November, following, Mr. Benjamin 
Strong and Truman Thompson came from Onondaga county, 
N. Y., and settled in the same neighborhood. These pioneers 
commenced making such improvements as the exigencies of 
their condition demanded, and preparing for the future com- 
forts of life. In the latter part of October, 1846, William 
Berry and John Axtell, having erected a shanty for their 
common domicile, and covered it with marsh hay, having re- 
joiced for a few days in so good a dwelling, were at work 
near by and discovered that their mansion was on fire; they 
rushed to extinguish the flames, which issued from the hay 
roof, but on opening the door, the current of air drew the 
flames into the room. Mrs. Axtell, with a woman's fore- 
thought, seized the trunk where they kept their money and 
succeeded in placing it beyond the reach of the flames; and 
the sorrow for the loss of an abundant supply of clothing and 
provisions for a winter in the wilderness, was cheered with 
thankfulness that their money was saved, but the sad recol- 
lection came to their minds that a short time before, Mr. A. 
had put nearly all his money in the pocket of his pantaloons, 
which were hanging in the shanty and consumed with the 
rest of their valuable. Another illustration of the hardships 
and privations of pioneer life may be found in the following 
narrative. 

The settlers were about out of provisions, and it became 
necessary for some persons to go to Brothertown, which is sit- 
uated on the east side of Lake Winnebago, after a load of 
corn. The weather was very cold, but it was arranged that 
Mr. Benjamin Strong and Judson Thompson should go after 
the grain. Mrs. Strong, wife of Mr. Strong concluded to ac- 
company them, (she had a child about eighteen months old,) 
she having some relations in Brothertown. Messrs. Strong 
and Thompson having purchased their load of corn and com- 
pleted their business, they commenced their journey home- 
ward. This was the 12th January, 1847. The weather was 
very cold; the snow about two feet deep. When within 
about four miles of the lake, they had to cut their own roads, 
and did not get to the lake until about three o'clock A. M., 
when they stopped, made a fire by the side of a stump, and 
ate some food. (Mrs. Strong was a feeble woman.) They 
resumed their journey at about four o'clock P. M., the wind 



?s 



WIN NEBAGO COUNTY. 



blew hard from the west, the snow was drifting- very fast; they 
traveled until dark, when they all became bewildered and 
could not tell which way to go, but kept as near their course 
as they could under the circumstances. Finally Mr. Thomp- 
son left Mr. and Mrs. Strong- with the team and went in pur- 
suit of assistance. At nine o'clock P. M., Mr. Thompson 
arrived at Harrison Reed's at Necnah, (whose latch-string 
was always out in those days. ) He informed Mr. Reed that 
Mr. Strong and wife were lost upon the lake. Mr. R. imme- 
diatelv sent his hired man, Gilbert Brooks, with bis horses 




*m> 



■' 







REED'S RESIDENCE. 

From Daguerreotype by J. F. HifflR^SON, 



and sleigh in- search of them, and fortunately found them after 
traveling about five miles, near the north branch of the Lower 
Fox river, where the ice was so thin lie dare drive no farther 
on account of the cracking of the ice. Mr. S. had unhitched 
his team from the sled, just as Mr. Brooks found them, Mrs. 
S. was so cold and exhausted she could not speak; they had 
to lift her from the sled into the sleigh. They left the sled 
until morning. One of the oxen had his leg so frozen that 
the skin came off, The next morning they went after the 
sled, and pursued their way home where they arrived in 
safety. 




-■;■' ^ 



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u . '^^ 'J:,''';'';f Map 



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IV 




WINNEBAGO COUNTY. *I 

Since then Mrs. Strong has bid farewell to earth, and gone to 
a world where suffering and sorrow is unknown. May we all 
he prepared to follow. This is only one of the many trials and 
hardships encountered by the pioneers of this town. 

Clayton now contains an industrious, enterprising people, 
who have grown rich with the country, and now are receiv- 
ing a remuneration in part for the hardships they have had to 
endure, they have a fair prospect of a bountiful harvest to reward 
rhem for their labor. 

Mifes Elizabeth McLean taught the first school in the sum- 
mer of .184.9. In the winter following, Mr. Wheeler kept in 
;i log school house, in District number two. The first relig- 
ious meeting was held in the house of Charles Shoemaker, 
sermon by Elder W. Ferguson, Free-will Baptist, in October 
I *<\7. The first marriage was that of Horace T. Walker to 
Abby Berry, '{'lie first birth in the family of W. Berry, m 
August 1848. The first death was that of a Mr. Robinson in, 
the Spring of IN4 7. The town was organized in 1849. At 
the first town meeting (-. W. < liddmgs was elected Chairman 
of Supervisors, and J. Balfour Town Clerk. Mr. Giddings 
was Chairman in 1850 and in 1855. Wm. M. Stewart held 
the office in 185!, ' ~sl and '56. In '53 Benjamin Strong, and 
in '54 Ira Bairu. There are now good roads in all pairs of 
the town. No intoxicating drinks kept in this town. Five 
schools, population 775. 



M ENAS H A , 

Lies in the north east corner of Winnebago county and em- 
braces a little more than the north half of Town 20, north 
of Range 17 east. Menasha is beautifully situated at the 
north end of Lake Winnebago, on the north outlet of the 
Lake, which is embraced in this town, and also about half 
of Doty's Island. Its handsome elevation above the 
water; its soil of great fertility, covered with a vigorous 
growth of hard wood timber, presented an inviting aspect 
to the pioneer, but its pre-eminent excellence was its unri- 
valled water-power. In 1847, Mr. Curtis Reed, having se- 
cured an interest in the real estate, in connection with the 
Messrs. Doty's water power, commenced his arrange- 

F 



88 WINNEBAGO- COUNTY. 

meats for the settlement of Menasha. In 1848 he built a 
house and; store and with a good laboring" force commenced 
the erection of a dam across the river, mills, &e. Gov. Do* 

y and Rev. Mr. Clinton settled: upon the Island about the 
same. time. The enternrize and success of these pioneers, 
soon drew about, them an enairgetia set of mechanics and 
farmers and almost as if by magic the wilderness was chang- 
ed to a flourishing village. A bridge was soon constructed 
across Little Butte des Mprts Lake, connecting the. village 
with the Green Bay road on the west side of the river. From 
the commencement of the village, up to the present time, its 
growth has been healthy and vigorous; mills and manufacto- 
ries constantly increasing, and the- canal of the Fox River 
improvement running through this village from lake Winne* 
bag© to lake Little Buttos des Morts, which is now ncarly 
cempleted, by which steamers — which have hitherto run only 
to the wharf above the village — -.will pass immediately throng! i 
It; and receive and unload their cargoes in the midst of its 
population, will greatly add to the- facilities of commerce and 
^ive additional life and vigor to every, branch of enterprise* 
Menasha was organized a separate; town in 1855* 

There are; now in Menasha two drug stores,, five grocery 
stores, four dry goods stores, one hardware store, two clothing 
stores, one pail and tub factory, three saw mills, two flouring 
mills, three cabinet and chair shops, two sash and blind faeto- 

■! .■•-. >ne pottery, one turning shop, one harness shop, one gun 
shop, four blacksmiths shops, three boot and shoe stores, six 
hotels, one general land om'ce, one- exchange bank, four law 

iffices, two physicians, one warehouse, one printing office and 
weekly newspaper, two livery stables, four saloons and one 

express office. h\ 185-3 there were three schools, 2i£> schol- 
ars, and 1,625 inhabitants. 

Tlie two outlets of lake Winnebago, upon which stand the 
villages of Menasha and Neenah, afford the best water power 
in the state, and as good, as can be found in the world!, In 
the midst of an extensive district of inexhaustible agricultural 
wealth, this immense water power will soon prove itself, of 
more value than a mine of. gold. Np better place for the- in- 
vestment of capital can be fpund,. 




I'll 



: V 




I 



flr^jN*. 



W I N N E B A Q O CO U N T V 



N E E N A H. 



i 
riy 

i- 



1s bounded north by Menasha; oast by Lake Winnebago; 
south by Vinland and Clayton; lias an excellent soil and fi 
good supply of timber; was a favorite location of the Winne- 
bago Indians, for whose benefit tire United States government 
established an agricultural school and system of general in- 
struction. After the removal of the Indians, the town was 
rapidly settled. Mr. Harrison Reed purchased a tract of 
land and erected the dwelling where he now resides, at the 
upper part of the village. (See page 78.) Mr. Reed was 
practical printer and able editor; had been one of the ca 
conductors of the Milwaukee Sentinel, and is the present ed 
tor and proprietor of the Conservator, published at Neena-h 
and Menasha. 

At the northern extremity of Winnebago Lake, it sends its 
waters through two channels, which leave the Lake about ;: 
mile distant from each other, the south branch passing throng 5 )! 
Neenah and the northern through Menasha, to unite again ii; 
the expansion called Little Butte des Morts Lake, between 
one and two miles below, and forming the little Island, called 
Duty's Island, (see page 11,) near the middle of which rung 
the line between Neenah and Menasha. This Island is jusl l ! 
celebrated for the natural beauty of its position and fertility 
of its soil. On either side passes a majestic stream of wever- 
f ailing waters, whose rapid current is capable of supplying 
power to drive almost a continuous line of machinery on each 
of their banks their whole length. The Lake above forms ;; 
reservoir so capacious that the high waters of Spring ami 
Fall produce no dangerous flood on these streams, and during 
the coldest winter the waters issuing from beneath the ice 
upon the lake, pass along these streams and drive the mill 
wheels without the usual inconvenience of freezing. Govern- 
or Doty erected buildings and removed to this beautiful Island 
in 184G, where he still continues to reside. The next year 
was erected the first framed house in the village of Neenah. 
a house of public entertainment, the present Exchange Hotel. 
In 1848 a canal was cut from the Lake, on the Neenah side 
of the river to Little Butte des Morts, but did not get it com- 



88 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

pleted >vith the necessary lockage until 1851v In 1856 steam 
boats passed daily during part of the season. 

[n 1847 a large number of buildings wCrc erected, among 
them two houses of public worship — Presbyterian and Con- 
gregational. The village of Neenah now has fifteen dry 
goodfi and grocery stores, two hardware stores, two book, drug 
;rnd jewelry stores, four boot and shoe stores, four flouring 
mills in operation and another nearly completed, three saw 
mills, one shingle and lath machine, one planing mill, one har- 
ness ;shop, one barrel factory and machine shop, one sash and 
blind factory, two cabinet factories with their warercoms, three 
wagon shops, four blacksmith shops, two printing offices, two 
merchant tailors, one bank — 'established for exchange in 1854, 
became a bank of issue and deposit in 1855 ; a fine dock and 
warehouse erected in 1853. There are few villages in the 
west, or in any part of the country, where so large a share of 
the first buildings erected are as substantial, elegant and val- 
uable as those of Neenah. 

In a level country like Wisconsin, where there is a general 
M-arcity of water power, the advantages of such streams as 
the Neenah and Menasha outlets to Winnebago lake, will not 
be overlooked or for any length of time neglected. This sec- 
tion — being the center of a large circle of agricultural soil of 
the very best quality, embracing abundance of woodland, of 
■which much of the country is destitute, with direct water com- 
munication to the immense pineries of the Wolf River, on the 
line of the Fox River improvement, and already enjoying 
many of its advantages — Neenah and Menasha, with the 
Island between them, must soon become one of the most im- 
portant business places in northern Wisconsin. In 1855 Nee- 
nah had two schools, 151 scholars and 1,074 inhabitants. 



N E K I M I . 

Is bounded north by Algoma; East by Black Wolf; south 
by Eldorado in the county of Fond du Lac, and west by 
Utica. This town is five miles east and west by six miles 
north and south; principally oak openings with a smaller share 
of native hay fields than in many other towns; yet sufficient 
in all parts of the town for the support of many cattle. Ne- 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 89 

kimi has as good soil as any town in the* county, the grains. 
grasses, roots and fruits flourish well wherever cultivated. 
'The surface presents a continued series of beautiful swells 
and fertile valleys; timber plenty for fuel and fences, good 
water and some stone. 

The first white inhabitant of this town was Mr. A.M. How- 
ard. who in the Spring- of 1S4G, selected the location where 
he now resides, and in July following removed his family, 
consisting of his wife and six children; within one month alter 
their arrival there were twenty families in town, and very 
soon almost every lot had a claim of some kind upon it, ami 
was so far settled as to have two or three populous neighfeor- 

Mii a year. This town in common with other 
parts of the county has steadily progressed under the influ- 

ering industry and now possesses much wealth, 
good roads, valuable farms, with every prospect of a success- 
ful fu1 

Mr. Howard, the pioneer settler of Nekimi, was the son of 
Mr. Nathan Howard, born in the town of* Union, Broome Co., 
N. V., in June, 1799, was educated a printer, and for many 
years was employed in the publishing office of M. M. Noah, 
in the city of New York, where he had abundant opportunity 
to gratify the claims of his intellectual nature, by the perusal 
of an infinite variety of books, periodicals, &c. His arduous 
labors, coupled with the intensity of his studies, soon began to 
waste his constitution, which was naturally delicate, and in 
1827, he wholly retired from the printing business, and en- 
gaged his energies in various occupations, which required 
greater physical exercise, and in a purer atmosphere, than 
that of a printing office. He married Miss Lucinda Lawrence. 
in Tioga county, N. Y. When he arrived with his family in 
Winnebago county, his funded wealth and earthly capital con- 
sisted of half a barrel of flour and eleven dollars in money. 
He had no house or shelter but the kind Heavens, until he 
could fix a shanty, hewing out puncheons for a floor, as he 
could then obtain no boards. In about a month Mr. Howard 
was taken sick, and some one of the family were constantly 
sick until late in the fall. The house of Mr. Howard was the 
home for strangers who were looking land, and much time 
was spent by Mr. H., when able to travel, in assisting them to 
select good locations; and Mrs. Howard frequently after hav- 



90 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

ing a severe ague fit in the afternoon, got up and provided 
supper for eighteen or twenty hungry men. Mr. Howard had 
pre-empted his land in April; in August following it was with- 
drawn from market, so that lie had until 1^50 to pay for it. 
This respite enabled him to keep his claim and finally pay few 
his farm, which he could not otherwise nave done. 

The early settlers of Nekimi, with Mr. Howard, were gen- 
erally men of piety, and soon established religious meetings, 
and in the midst of poverty and privations, were happy in 
their wilderness abode. Mr. Howard, from whom we have 
gathered most of the foregoing facts, at this time (July 10th, 
1856) is apparently in the last stage of consumption, calmly 
waiting his removal to a hotter state of existence. 

In 1855, there were in Nekimi five schools, 180 scholars, 
and 797 inhabitants. 



N E P E IT SKIN, 

Is situated in the south-west corner of the county of Win- 
nebago, bounded north by Ilushforcl; east by Utiea; south by 
Ceresco, in the county of Fond du Lac, and west by the 
county of Marquette. Hush Lake is in this town; its length 
is about five miles, and greatest width two and a half miles. 
Nepeuskin presents upon its surface a series of undulations 
covered with scattering timber, principally burr-oak, sufficient 
however, for fuel and fences. Hay marshes are abundant 
and of an excellent quality; the soil being a deep vegetable 
mould, possessing great fertility and producing immense crops 
of excellent native hay. They are generally susceptible of 
being drained and becoming not only the best meadows but 
equally good for the various kinds of grains. It is worthy 
of note that these marshes are constantly gaining in their el- 
evation and becoming dry. The goil of the openings is a 
marly loam with a subsoil of red clay, well adapted to all 
kinds of agriculture of this section of country. The grains, 
grasses, roots and fruits have here a luxurious growth and an 
excellent quality. The first settlement in this town was in 
March, 1846. Mr. Jonathan Foote and his family, and a 



nephew, Win. H. Foote, located themselves, and lodged in 
(heir wagon until they built a shanty thirteen feet by sixteen, 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY, 91 

in which they resided two or three mouths, and frequently 
entertained strangers, sometimes to the number of eighteen or 
twenty at a time. Mrs. Foote and her daughter Harriet E. 
Foote were the first white females ever located in this town. 
May 6th, 1846, Mr. Lucius B. Townsend and his brother ar- 
rived in Nepeuskin at their location about two hours before 
sundown; they plowed one furrow, turned out their team, cut 
some crotches, laid on a pole and rested a few boards, one 
end upon the pole, the other upon the ground; this was their 
dwelling for five or six months. They broke sixty acres this 
season, sowed it to wheat in the fall, from which they harvest- 
ed 1200 bushels of excellent wheat. The first winter they 
drew rails and made about four miles of fence. In May I s ['< . 
Mr. Alonzo J. Lewis settled in Nepeuskin. There were then 
only two or three shanties north of Ceresco. 

Mr. Johnson came into this town in 1846. Nepeuskin, 
Utica and Rushford then constituted one town, and was call- 
ed Rushford. Mr. Johnson in discharge of official dutv la- 
bored much in the survey and location of roads. The first 
year of his residence in town he assisted to locate over one 
hundred miles of road; while thus employed he often fouhfl 
himself ten or twelve miles from home, at the close of the 
day, which lie must walk before he went to rest. The town 
settled rapidly so that within two years after the first im- 
provement was made, there wa.s scaieely a section of good 
government land in town, all was entered or pre-empted. 
The first birth among the settlers is believed to be a son in 
the family of Sydney A^an Kirk. The first religious meeting 
in 1847 at a log school house, sermon by Elder Manning, a 
Baptist minister. The first death was that of a child of L. 
B. Johnson, in November 1847. William Smith and .Una- 
ham Devere were married to Sarah Foote and Mary Foote, 
twin sisters, in September 1847, by Rev. Hiram McKee. In 
1849, Nepeuskin was organized a separate town. Temper* 
ance, industry, health and prosperity have ever been visible 
in this town. There are now good roads, highly cultivated 
and productive farms, with good farm buildings. In 18oo 
there were six school districts with 206 scholars and 684 in- 
habitants. The Horicon and Berlin Railroad, now in progress 
will pass through a part of this town. 



V* WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



O M K O . 



"n 



This town is bounded north by Winneconnee, east by Al- 
ma, south by Welaunee and west by Rushford. The town 
is gently undulating', with a pleasing variety of openings. 
* ondland, prairie and native hay iields. The Fox River 
crosses the north west part of the town, leaving about six 
sections on the north side, generally timbered with oak, bass, 
butternut, black-walnut, maple, &c; a fine sandy loam upon 
a clay subsoil, alive with warmth and fertility. On the south 
side burr-oak openings prevail; hay marshes and prairies wind 
along, offering in every neighborhood an invitation to the 
plough and scythe. In the Spring of 1846, Hezekiak Gilford, 
Kdward West and a Mr. Monroe, settled in this town, then 
called Winnebago; they were soon followed by others who 
continued to come in and so rapidly enter lands that in a short, 
rime there was no government land remaining. The first 
birth in this town was in the family of Edward West in 1846. 
The first school was taught in his house. The first organiza- 
rion of this town, was by the name of Butte des Morts, in 
1*47; in 1849, to Bloomingdale, and in 1852, to Omro. In 
the Fall of 1849 caused to be plotted and surveyed 
the village of Omro. This village now contains one 
iiouring mill, four steam saw mills, one planing mill, six dry 
goods stores, one drug and book store, one harness shop, one 
cabinet shop, five blacksmith shops, three shoe stores, one 
machine shop, two church edifices, two hotels and one union 
school house. Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists have 
their separate congregations and ministers. 

This village lies on the south side of Fox river, about ten 
miles from Oshkosh, has the advantage of steam boat naviga- 
tion; is surrounded by as beautiful and fertile an agricultural 
country as any in the west and is full of promise of becoming 
a prominent business point on Fox river. Generally through 
the town of Omro, water may be obtained at a moderate depth 
and frequently the wells immediately fill up and send off a 
stream from their mouth. Artesian wells may be had at a 
depth, varying from fifteen to fifty feet. 

There was a post office established near the center of the 




B 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 95 

town in 1847 discontinued in 1852. At Omroin 1850, P. M. t W, 
Pi McAllister removed by the present administration; Joseph 
Hanks is the present incumbent. 

In 1847 and '48, Edward West, Chairman Supervisors. 

In 1849, Nelson Olin. 

In 1850 W. W, Wilcox. 

In 1851. S. L. Carpenter. 

In 1852, G>. W. Beckwith. 

In 1853, L. F. Arnold. 

In L854, \55, and '56, W. P. McAllister. 

At the election, April 6th, 1847, there were cast IS votes: 
in April, 1856, 250. The roads are good, many of the farms 
in a high state of cultivation; numerous orchards beginning 
to bear, and every portion of the town and every department 
of business are in a healthful and vigorous prosperity. In 
here were 1,605 inhabitants, 8 schools and 540' scholars, 

OSHKOSH. 

]';''o town of Oshkosh, originally called Winnebago — 4iame 
•hanged November, 1852 — lies on the west shone of lake 
Winnebago an I principally on the north side ©£ Fox river, a 
traction only crossing to the south side. Its first settlement 
has already been noted on pages 65 — 6. This town is gen- 
. '.rally level with gentle undulations, divided into prairies, 
!penings and native hayfields. The soil uniformly consisting 
of deep vegetable mould and subsoil of red clay or marl. 
There are but few streams of running water, but good wells 
are easily, obtained, the water being abundant at twenty-five 
feet at the greatest depth. Artesian wells at from thirty to 
seventy-nve feet. In November, 1855, the town had become 
so diminished in territory from absorption by the city, that 
two miles in width from the south side of Y inland,, were at- 
tached to Oshkosh. The town is now bounded north.by Vin- 
land ; east by lake Winnebago ; south by the city of. Osh- 
kosh, and west by F.ox river and Big Butte des Morts lake. 
The inhabitants of this town are, principally from New York 
and the eastern states. The farms are generally in a good 
state of cultivation and very. productive ; are, now (1856) 
worth from twelve to- fifty\ dollars per acre, acooxding to loca- 
tion and condition of improvements. Apple, pear, cherry and 



Sift WINNEBAGO COIWTY. 

phim trees are becoming common upon the cultivated farms, 
and have as vigorous and healthy a growth as in the best fruit 
growing sections of New York; many are beginning to bear, 
and some which were put out by the first settlers already 
bear abundantly. This town being the location of the lirst 
white settlers in the county, the fruit trees are here, far more 
advanced than in any other part of the county. Oshkosh is 
abundantly supplied with native hay, and produces the native 
grapes in quantity and quality equal to the best eastern mead- 
ows. Cattle are easily kept, and many are raised here. The 
town is in a prosperous condition, in 1855 there was One 
school, 77 scholars and .3 to inhabitants. 

O K I & U I, A , 

Lies in the north-west corner of the county of? Winnebago ; 
is bounded north by Oalidonxa, in Waupacca county; on the 
east by Winchester; south by lake Poygan, which separates 
it, from the town of Poygan, and west by Bloomfield, in the 
county of Waushara. The surface of this town is level with 
gentle undulations, generally timbered with maple, bass, ash. 
elm and pine, well watered, the soil a sandy loam, warm, 
quicfe and productive. First settled in 1349, by Mr. Page, 
Sir. Merotn and several Germans, among whom were Mr. 
Mertten and Mr. Nishoven. The Wolf river runs diagonally 
across the town from the north-west. The early settlers in 
this town shared largely in the hardships, privations and 
difficulties of pioneer life. There was then no steamboats up- 
on the river ; the people were under the necessity of going 
-ihout 30 miles to Oshkosh to purchase the necessaries of life. 
The journey could only be made in a small canoe, or by land 
upon an Indian trail, and frequently took several days to per- 
form the tour : the inhabitants often suffered with hunger. — 
There are now between twenty and thirty families in town. 
The growth of this part of the county has been greatly re- 
tarded in consequence of the land being taken by non-resi- 
lent speculators, who, prompted by the beautiful pine mixed 
with other timber upon a tine soil so near the river, bought 
ip the lands and shut them out from cultivation. The few 
farms which are cultivated, have fine crops growing upon 
hem. 



AVINNEE AGO COT) NTY 



CITY O F O S H K O S M 



$ 



That the mouth of Fox River on Lake Winnebago, was- 
even at an early day considered an important point in north- 
ern Wisconsin, is clearly indicated by the record of such slight 
local operations as make up the early history of a place. An 
important trail crossed the river here causing the necessity of 
a ferry. The earliest elections and public meetings of the 
county- were held here. The land on the south side of the 
river comprising part of Sections 23, 24, 25 and 26, were en- 
tered in June 1838, and a town plat subsequently made caller; 
" Dane City", was exhibited at Green Bay the plat was 
not placed on record, but lots were contracted and even deed- 
ed. W r . Stanly, occupied the north side in the fall of 18$6 
and the Wrights in 1838, but the land was not entered until 
the Spring of 1840. In February 1842, W, Staiily was au- 
thorized by the Territorial Legislature to keep and maintain 
a ferry for five years. The quiet of this spot was undisturb- 
ed save by the bustle occasioned annually by the Indian pay- 
ment at Poygan., until the summer of 1846, when emigration 
having commenced, Wm. W. Wright and Joseph Jackson 
caused a survey to be made of the original plat of Oshkosh, 
which included the West side of Ferry street, the ferry having 
been previously removed from the old situation at the extreme 
mouth where Stanly first located himself, to the present site of 
the bridge, tin March 1847 the first addition was put on 
record by Lucas M. Miller and others, being part of the old 
Stanly farm. In February 1847 the State Legislature organ-, 
ized Winnebago County for Judicial purposes, from and after 
the first day of January 1848 and established the county 
seat at Oshkosh on Sec. 24, T. 18, R. 16, provided suitable 
buildings should be furnished free of cost to the county for 
the next succeeding three years. 

In the winter of 1847 Edward Eastman, Chester Ford, 
S.H. Famsworth, John Smith, XL F. Wright, L. M. Miller 
and others were incorporated a Fox River Bridge Company 
for the purpose of building a bridge at Millers ferry, being the 
present location of the bridge on Ferry street; the company 
commenced the erection of the bridge, it was finally taken 
and completed by Abel Hefif On the evening of the 3d hi 



98 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

July 1849, the first team crossed the bridge, and on the fol- 
lowing day the procession celebrating the day marched across 
the new bridge to the Hotel then kept by Otis & Earl. The 
first steam saw mill was erected and put in operation by Mor- 
ris Farmin, being the old mill nearest the mouth of the river, 
{he mill has done service in making lumber up to the present 
time and is yet effective. In the spring of 1S47, Miller and 
Eastman opened a store in a board shanty near the center of 
Ferry street as it now runs, this was the first mercantile es- 
tablishment in the present business part of Oshkosh. The 
same season Mr. M. Griffin opened a public house in what now 
is part of the " Oshkosh House" still owned and conducted 
by Mr. Griffin. Miller and Eastman soon erected the store 
now occupied by Weed & Gumaer, on the west side of Ferry 
.street. Wliitacre &: Langworthy, and A. H. Reed opened a 
Store this season, and Hobert & Blodget opened a law office 
in Oshkosh, E. Edwards started a shoe shop, and Ohauncey 
V. Foster a blacksmith shop. Many dwellings were erected 
this year. S. A. Wolcott, erected the house now occupied by 
Wm. JV. Knapp, this year the genius of vitality begun to 
expand and Oshkosh to be a place of importance, the town flour- 
ished for about two years, when two successive unproductive 
seasons, witli a general depression in every industrial depart- 
ment, gave a stagnation to the youthful town. In 1852 bu- 
siness was again invigorated, the population increased, real 
estate began to advance and from that to the present time, 
progress has been visible, each succeeding year increasing its 
rapidity. 

The natural position of Oshkosh is favorable for a large 
town lyiog at the mouth and on bo^li sides of an important 
river navigable for a great distance,, and by the improvement 
of Fox river connected with the great lafos. Although the 
banks of the river are low and marshy, for a little distance 
the land rises above high water marlf: and gradually ascends 
to an elevation sufficient to relieve the town from the appear- 
ance of being low and marshy. On the north of the river, 
theJakehas a bold bank of several f<oet elevation, affording a 
beautiful location for streets and dwellings immediately along 
the shore. The city authorities, the present season (1856,) 
have made and are still making great improvements in the 
streets by opening, widening, grading and building sidewalks. 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 99 

About 200 dwelling houses have been erected during the past 
twelve months. 

In 1855, there were two schools in the city with 587 schol- 
ars besides several private schools. A new and beautiful site 
for a Union School house has been recently purchased in the 
grove on Algoma Street, at a cost of $4,500 where a suitable 
edifice will soon be erected and the grounds pv.t in tasteful 
order, by the present vigilent school commissioners. 

There are now seven Hotels, twenty-four Saloons, three whole- 
sale Liquor Stores, two Breweries, four Warehouses, seven 
Clothing Stores, four Hardware and Tin Stores, four Drug 
Stores, three Cabinet Shops and Chair Factories, three Bak- 
eries, two Banking Houses, one Marble Factory, three Meat 
Markets, one Fur Store, three Millinery, Fancy Goods and 
Dress Making Shops, three Harness Shops, three Daguerreau 
Galleries, five Boot and Shoe Stores, one Leather Store, one 
Tallow Chandlery, one Soap Factory, three Vinegar Facto- 
ries, three Cigar Stores, two Billiard Saloons, three Refresh- 
ment Rooms, three Barber Shops, three Dentists, two Liverv 
Stables, three Book and Stationery Stores, two Book Binde- 
ries, twenty Lawyers, eight Physicians, six Land Agency 
offices, fourteen Drays, one Auction and Commission, Room, 
eight Churches, one wood yard, fourteen Blacksmiths shops 
two Plow Factories, one Edge Top) Factory, six Carriage 
Shops, two Boiler Factories, six Paint Shops, four Cooper 
Shops, one Fruit Store, three Lumber, Lime, Stone, Sand, 
and Brick Yards, one Gunsmith Shop, sixteen Dry Goods 
Crockery &c. Stores, four Lath Mills, five Planing Mills and 
Sash, Door and Blind Factories, fifteen Mills in operation, one 
Gang Saw Mill with sixty saws, there is a Lath Machine in 
connection with most of these Mills. The average amount of 
lumber sawed annually by each of these mills, — except the 
Gang Mill — is estimated at 1,50%000 feet, the whole aggre- 
gate amount is estimated at 25^000,000 feet per annum. — 

Shingles are manufactured to- a considerable extent there 
being four machines capable of manufacturing 20,000 per day 
each. There are two Grist Mills with three run of stone each , 
also three Printing Offices, two American and one German. 

The average sale of the leading Houses in this town are : 

Several Dry, Good Stores, 30,000, Each. 

Hardware " 50,000, " 



j 00 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

« Grocery •' 30,000 " 

» Clothing " 2(1,000 " 

» Drug " 15,000 " 

Cabinet Ware Rooms, J 2,000 

There are three extensive Machine Shops, and Threshing 

machine Factories. The amount of machinery turned out in 

one shop amount to 40,000 per year. There are two Boiler 

Factory's, turning out 20,000 per year. 

There are eight Steam Boats which arrive aiul depart fiom 
our wharves daily, landing from the East an average f from 
GO to 80 passengers per day during the season of navigation. 
Besides these there are numerous Tug Boats employed in tow- 
ing rafts of lumber, Barges, Logs &c, making in all a large 
commercial trade. 

The City of Oshkosh was incorporated by the Legislature 
in March 1853, embracing part of Sections 23, 24, 25, and 26, 
lying on both sides of the river and containing- an area of a 
little over two square miles. It was divided into three wards 
the first ward being west of ferry street, the second ward 
lying east of ferry street and the third ward boing on the 
south side of the river. 

The iirst election was held in April is/}:* — the following 
officers were chosen : 

Edward Eastman 31 ay or. 

Wm. Luscher, City Clerk. 

E. R. Baldwin, Superintendent. 

E. M. Neff, Marshall. 

Walter Weed, Treasurer. 

Aid. 1st Ward, Henry Swart, Win. G. Gumaer. 

" 2d •' M. Griffin, Anton Andreae. 

3d " Abel Neff, Seth Wyman. 

Justice of Peace J. R. "Forbes, C. Coolbaugh. 

In 1854, '55, Joseph Jackson Mayor. 

In 1855, M. A. Edmonds Clerk. 

Census taken in 1855. Population, 4,118. 

The limits of the city were enlarged by act of* Legislature 
in the winter of 1855, and a new charter granted, the new 
limits embraces about three miles square of territory and in- 
cludes the -village formerly known as Algoma with its bridge 







m i 






' 




WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 10$ 

and various tracts of land which had been platted into lots 
and blocks. There are now five wards, and population about 
7,000. 

Present Officers. 

Mayor, T. A. Follett. Clerk, J*. R. Forbes. 

Treasurer, D. C. Hicks. Marshal* John Ladow; 

Superintendent, T. P. Russell. Attorney, B; Rixford. 
Surveyor, F. N. Finney. 

Aid. 1st Ward. W. Markham, J. G. Chase, S. M: Hay 
" 2d " C. A. Weisbrod, A. A* Austin, A. Ward; 

« 3d " A. Neff, L. P. Sheldon, L. B. Reed, 
" 4th " G. W. Washburn. D. Evans, W. Wagner. 
" 5th " J. F. Mills, H. C. Jewell, C. Petersilea. 
Assessors. — P. Ladow, N. Gill, P. Sawyer, E; S. Durfee, 
D. Evans. 



P O Y G A N . 

This town lies on the south side of the Lake from which it 
takes its name, and is one of the best agricultural townships 
in the county. Its surface is level, yet moderately undulating, 
heavily covered with hard timber. It contains abundance of 
limestone and marl of an excellent quality. It is bounded 
north by Lake Poygan; east by Winneconne; south by Rush- 
ford and west by Waushara county. 

On the site of what is now called the ''Old Pay Ground," 
there was an Indian village which flourished under its Chief, 
Grisley Bear, but at his death declined and soon disappeared. 
The first payment made at this point was by Mr. Jones of 
Green Bay, in 1844. In the same year Father Bondnel es- 
tablished, for the Indians, a Catholic mission. He was as 
slstsecL m the school by Madame Donsemond, of Green Bay. 

Mr. George Cowen, a half-breed, from Mackinaw, came 
with a large stock of Indian goods and established a trading 5 
post. The treaty by which the Indians were removed, was 
made by Col. Medill, in 1848; the details of which were 
neither creditable to that gentleman nor the government and 
decidedly unprofitable to the poor Indians, who were so foul- 
ly cheated that they are now about to pay $40,000 to obtain 
a fraction of the restitution to which justice entitled them 
without cost. The Indian payments continued to be made 



i«04 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

annually at this point until 1851, when the Indians were re- 
moved to Shawauno and the lands brought into market. Set- 
tlements for agricultural purposes immediately commenced. 
The wigwam has given place to the farm house; the hunt- 
ing ground to furrowed fields, and the rude customs of savage 
life to the conventionalities of civilization. In 1 ><.">, there 
vere Sye gjchpol fiou^cs* 1 18 scholars and 401 inhabitants. 

K X.J 8 11 M O R L> • 

The town of itushibrd lies on the west line of Winnebago 
county and is bounded north by Poygan, east by Omro, south 
by Nepeusken and west by the county of Marquette. This 
town is watered by Waukau creek, which affords water-power 
at the village of Waukau, and Fox river which passes from 
south-west to north-east entirely through the towns, forming 
a highway for the passage of steamboats, rafts of lumber &c, 
which are daily passing during the season of navigation. The 
surface of Hushford, is generally level with waving undula- 
tions presenting a pleasing aspect to the beholder, generally 
revered with scattering oaks : there is a share of the native 
hay, fields in this town, and the Waukau creek has a beauti- 
ful fringe of timber upon its banks nearly a mile in width. 

The lirst settlement of this town was in 1846. In the af- 
ternoon of March 7th., Mr. L. M. Parsons assisted by Mr. 
John Wares, a hired man commenced and completed the first 
house in the town of Hushford. The building was twelve 
feet long and ten feet wide, made of boards nailed to posts 
stuek in the ground, and only one story high; as there was 
no chamber, Mr. Parsons could not accommodate a great 
number of travelers at a time ; but they called often. E. IX 
Hall, 14. Stone and many others came into this town the same 
spring. The following November there was a school meeting 
held in the neighborhood and it was ascertained that there 
were then fourteen resident families. Mr. Parsons erected 
and put in opperation, a saw-niiil the first summer of his res- 
idence in Hushford. 

The first school was kept in the summer of 1847. The 
saine year Hushford was organized a seperate town, on the 
oth of April the first town meeting was held, and E. D. Hall 
elected ch'ii of supervisors. The Indian village of Waukau 



WLMVEBAGO COUNTY. LQ5 

wa? on the north side of Fox river nearly opposite the ground 
now occupied by the village of Delhi. " "Waufcau, in the 
language of the Winnebago Indians, signifies Zig Zag, light- 
ning. The present village of that name has about .000 inhab- 
itants, has one flouring mill owned by Parsons and Barnum. 
Throe dry goods stores, two .groceries, three hotels and two 
saw mills; a po.sj: Office was established in 1848, and Mr. 
\V7ute appointed Post Master;, up to that t,jine the people 
to Ceresoo for their mail, a walk of fourteen miles. 
Eureka, is a.jittlQ village, of great beauty upon rite south 
bank o| Fox river four miles west of Waukau, has one store, 
one tavern, two steam saw mills, docks, store houses <Sce., — 
The s.'liwois in this town are in a flourishing condition, at 
Waukau there is in progress of completion a union school "house 
ar a cost of No, 000. At Eureka the school has been under 
die charge of Miss H. A. Steele at a salary of* $4Q per mouth. 
in 1S,3o thc"e was in Ivushford 13 school s, 612 sehollars and 
L20> inhabitant-,. 

V I N I, A N D . 

Y inland has upon its north side the town of Clayton and 
part of Noeuah, on the east lake Winnebago which, seperates 
it from the county of Caiumet, on the south is ■: -siikosh and 
lake Butte des Morts and on the west lies, Winueeonnee. No 
town in Winnebago county has a more interesting diversity 
of timber land openings, native hay fields and prairie than is 
presented in V inland. On the east, along the lake is a beau- 
tiful border from one to two miles m width of forest timber 
consisting of the various kinds of oak, hickory, basswood, 
butter nut oce., The remainder of the town is openings in- 
terspersed with long strips of hay marsh and small prairies. — 
The opening are gently rolling, the marshes low and level 
but generally easily drained, when they become the most 
fruitful fields lor grass or grain. Yinland, on account of the 
fertility of its soil, ease of cultivation, abundance of hay and 
pleasant location was the selection of some of the pioneer ag- 
riculturalists of the county. There were some lands entered 
for farming purposes in Yinland as early as the spring of 
184'J. A Doctor Lynde and a brother, who were Danes, 
Frederick and Jacob Henshaw, C. L. Rich. Stephen Brook* 



10(3 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

and T. J. Townsend were among the first who purchased 
lands in this town. R. S. Lambert moved into this town in 
November 1846, commenced the improvement on the farm of 
Mr. 0. Brooks, cut timber, put up a log house &c. The settle- 
ment of the town had now actually begun and rapidly pro- 
gressed until the lands were nearly all taken. These pioneers 
early established religious meetings, Rev. Mr. Slingerland of 
Stockbridge and Rev. Mr. Clinton of Menasha, occasionally 
met with the people and preached the word of Hie. Vinland 
was organized a seperate town in 1849. The first birth in Vin- 
land was a son of P. Tuttle. The first school was taught by 
Miss Lucy Alden. The first death which occurred in this town 
is believed to be a Mr. Baird, in the south east corner of the 
town. 

During the last ten years Vinland has changed from the 
hunting ground of the red man, to the well cultivated fields 
of the agriculturalist, and now forms part of the great graue- 
ry of the west, which feeds tarnishing humanity, not only in 
our own country, but across the ocean. Good roads, conven- 
ient and elegant dwellings and numerous heards of horses, 
cattle and sheep grazing in their pastures, reminds the trav- 
eler of our old settled farming country, but the youthful and 
vigorous appearance of the apple, pear, plumb and cherry 
trees, which are abundant, leads the stranger to enquire, how 
long has this place been settled? When they learn the brief 
space in which the mighty change has been accomplished, 
they cease to doubt the fertility and native wealth of Wiscon- 
sin. 

The offices of Vinland have been held as follows: 

Supervisor. Clerk. 

In 1849, 0. B, Reed. Jacob Weed. 

In 1850, '51 '52, W. Bowron. W. T. Merriman. 

In 1853, Silas M. Allen. M. West. 

In 1854, '55, W. H. Scott. M. West. 

In 1856, Horace Clemons. M. West. 

There were in 1855, nine schools, 357 scholars and 1090 
inhabitants. 



WI WEB AGO COUNTY. 107 



WINNECONNE. 



Winneconne lies near the centre of the county of Winne- 
bago and is bounded north by Winchester, east by Vinland 
south by Omro and west by Poygan. The face of the town 
is level, with gentle undulations diversified with prairie, hay 
marsh, openings and heavy timber, the soilis of the best qual- 
ity. About four sections in the north west corner of the town 
are covered with the waters of Winneconne lake, a broad ex- 
pansion of the Wolf river which flows from thence by a wind- 
ing route south easterly through the town to another wide 
expansion called Lake Butte des Morts. The Fox river enters 
this town from Omro on the south, and meets the Wolf, Sec. 
•26, west of the Wolf river, and above its entrance to the Fox, 
the heavy timber abounds, in the north east part of the town 
is Bald Prairie, which stretches into 'inland and Clayton, 
this prairie is curiously striped and dotted witlf little groves 
and springs which appear like islands in an ocean; the balance 
is openings and native hay fields. The first white man ever 
in this town was Augustine Grignon, who many years previ- 
ous to any settlement of the county, came into this place for 
the purpose of trade with the Indians. 

The first settler for agricultural purposes, was Mr. George 
Bell, who, with his family settled onBaldPraire in Winnecon- 
ne, May 1846. They came from Toronto, C. W. It was 
several days before they got a shanty erected, they toiled and 
slept under the open canopy in this great unbroken flower 
garden. Mrs. Bell was the first white women in town, her 
children the first white children, she harrowed in the first 
wheat field in town and drove the first ox team from Winne- 
conne to Neenah with a load of wheat to mill. Mr. Bell was 
soon joined by Mr. McConpier, Ashley, Bowlden, Wright, 
Allen and Calkins. The 20th of May 1847, Mr. John Cross 
arrived with his family, in September following A. and (). 
Rice settled in Winneconne. Mr. J. Pritchet built a log house^ 
where the village now stands; in 1848 Ira Avery and son en- 
tered lands at the village, also Rowel Kellog; in 1849 Col. C. 
R. Hamlin from Ohio, moved to the village there then being 
two primative dwellings, he fitted up an old dilapidated build- 
ing which had been erected for governmet purposes and open- 



108 WINft£BAGO COUNT V. 

e-d a tavern, the next summer lie put up and opened the large 
gublk house where he still continues to entertain strangers to 
the satisfaction of all concerned. E. J), and C. L. Gumaer 
erected the first frame building at the village in 1849, at this 
point there is now a good substantial draw bride across the 
river, which is daily passed by steam boats; there are also 
sonie half dozen stores; three meeting houses; plenty of me- 
chanic shops steam mill <Scc. 

There were some circumstances which rendered the hardships* 
of the early settlers in this town, greater than were generally 
endured in this country. The inhabitants on Bald prairie 
were attacked with sickness; all but the wife of Mr. 
Bell were sick, she had an excellent constitution, enjoyed 
health, and that physical and moral heroism which enabled 
her, when her husband was unable to do anything, to yoke 
the oxen and harrow in the seed, and in the month of Sep- 
tember, when the whole neighborhood was sick, often living 
only upon boiled wheat, against the remonstrance of her 
friends, to start with an ox teem, with twenty bushels of 
wheat on one Indian trail where a team had never passed, 
12 miles to Neenah, she was at first refused grinding, but her 
indomitable perseverence overcame the miller, she got her 
flour and returned, attended by the music howled by nu- 
merous wolves, and arrived at home about 11 o'clock at night. 
It is needless to say that the Bell family have had plenty of 
Hour ever since, they still reside on the same farm, no v. 
worth seven or eight thousand dollars. 

Winneconne was organized in 1848, James Fisk was elect- 
ed Chairman of Supervisors. 

In 1849 and ? 50, Wm. Cross. 

In 185], Stephen Allen. 

hi ls.")2, Jonathan Dougherty. 

In 1853, S. A. Gallup. 

in 1854, Charles Church. 

In 1855. J. Fish. 

In tSm, L. Webster. 

In 1855, there were 4 schools, 231 scholars. Pop. 8,30. 

A circumstance took place in this town among the Indians, 
after the town was partially settled and before the Indians 
removed, which we deem worth recording, as illustrative of 
Indian character. In the summer of 1849 there was a squaw 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 100 

among them of no particular age, who claimed the affections 
of an Indian who was by many years her junior, she became 
jealous that her attachment was not reciprocated and in her 
deep wrath at her fickle swain, stabbed him in the breast so 
tliat lie died instantly. She was large, athletic and defiant, 
few men were able to stand before her in a conflict*; their 
custom required the life of the murderer, but she announced 
that if any Indian attempted to inflict the death penalty upon 
her, there would be four or live more dead Indians. Appa- 
rently there was little notice taken of the matter, and people 
supposed the murderer would go unpunished; the young chiefs 
were frequently passing from one band to another, none but 
themselves knew or mistrusted their business : at length an 
Indian feast and dance was noticed to come off in a short 
time ; the period arrived ; the Indians were all in attendance, 
among them was one noted for his quiet and inoffensive char- 
acter, called "Old Pete," the feast was passed, the dance 
commenced, mirth and hilarity was universal among them ; 
41 Old Pete" and the murderess were dancing near each other 
the music was loud and stiring, the dance and mirth at a high 
pitch, when the murderess shrieked and fell dead in the midst. 
Music and dance instantly ceased, the squaw had been stab- 
bed, but the dancers knew not by whose hand the deed had 
been done, when ". Old Pete" left the astonished company, 
walked to an eminence at a little distance, and stood with 
that stoical indifference which none but an Indian can assume.. 
K. D. Gumaer, (our informant) passed near him, looked him 
in the face and smiled, Pete relaxed his features and returned 
the smile, then again resumed a countenance of rigid indiffer- 
ence. He was reported to Oshkosh the head chief,, who said 
the act was done under the direction of the council of all t&e 
bands. All was right, quiet and harmony returned. 



110 WINNEBAGO COUNTY 



W E L A U N E E , 

This town (formerly Utica,) is six miles square, is situated 
about nine miles south west of Oshkosh and is bounded north 
by Omro, east by Nekimi, south by Ceresco in the county of 
Fond du Lac and west by Nepeuskin. The surface of We- 
launee presents the most pleasing- variety of prairie, openings, 
native hay marsh and small clusters of timber. The native 
hay fields stretch and wind into almost every section of the 
town supplying an abundance of grass and hay of an excel- 
lent quality, which springs up from a black vegetable mould 
of great depth and unexhaustable fertility. Liberty prairie, 
accupies the central portion of the town, with its broad planes 
and graceful undulations, the northern and southern portions 
of the town are openings, beautifully diversified with strips 
of native hay fields. The timber consists principally of the 
different varieties of oak commonly found in Wisconsin. The 
soil a deep black loam with a subsoil of clay impregnated 
with oxyde of iron as to give it a strong resemblance to red 
chalk. This subsoil possesses the elements of great fertility 
which are developed by atmospheric action. On the whole 
this town naturally presents one of the most inviting fields 
for agricultural enterprise to lie found in Winnebago county. 
There is a moderate supply of springs and streams of running 
water, the principle stream is eight mile creek which runs 
through the north part of the town. Ths outlet of Rush 
lake passes through the north west part of the town. The 
first settlement was in 1846. Messrs. Leth,, Harris, Armine, 
Pickett, D.H. Nash, Lucius Hawley, E. B. Fish, J. M. Little 
and Rev. Hiram McKee were among the first settlers. Rev. 
H. McKee was the first clergyman in town and held the first 
religious meeting,, Weslyan Methodist. 

Th(#nrst sestlement was made on Liberty prairie, this town- 
ship then formed part of the town of Rushford. Nearly the 
whole township was entered within two years, and in 1848 
was organized a separate town by the name of Utica. The 
first town meeting was held at the house of Mr. Lucius Haw- 
ley, D. H. Nash was elected to the office of chairman of the 
board supervisors and Ely N. Hyde, town clerk. These offices 
have since been filled as follows : 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. Ill 

Supervisors. Clerks. 

In 1849, D. H. Nash. W. A. Hyatt. 

In 1850, D. B. Babcock. Nelson Wentworth. 

In 1851, Armine Pickett. A. J. Thrall. 

In 1852, J. H. Woodruff. A. J. Thrall. 

In 1853, J. H. Woodruff. F. Jewett. 

. In 1854, Armine Pickett. Wm. Blanchard. 

In 1855, Armine Pickett. Wm. Blanchard. 

The population is principally composed of emigrants from 
the older states, with a large portion of Welch. 

Liberty prairie took its name from the attachment of the 
early settlers to the principles of the "Liberty party" of 
those days. The fourth of July 1846, the first season of the 
settlement, was celebrated by these pioneers in a grove, the 
doctrines of '76 declared as their political creed, an oration 
delivered by Rev. H. McKee, and the prairie christened with 
the imposing name of " Liberty." 

There are in Welaunee, two post offices, Welaunee and 
Fisks Corners. This town continued the name of Ftica until 
1S56. In 1855 there were six school houses, 21 G scholars, 
V24 inhabitants. 

WINCHESTER. 

Winchester lies on the north side of Winnebago countv 
and is bounded north by Deale, in the county of Outagamie, 
east by Clinton, south by Winneconne and west by Orahula, 
is about twenty-five miles north west from Oshkosh. The 
face of the country is rolling, in some places approaching to 
hills, the low lands are timbered with elm, bass, poplar and 
ash, with occasional sugar maple, the more elevated lands 
are oak openings finely diversified with hickory, and on the 
ridges are scattering pine. The soil on the high ridges is a 
yellow sand, on the openings a sandy loam, the lower lands a 
black vegetable mould, with sandy loam and a rich clay sub- 
soil. 

Rat river and several smaller streams run through this 
town to lake Poygan, Along the banks of Rat river there is 
a large amount of marshy land, and settlers in that neighbor- 
hood have, not always escaped fever and ague> although the 
town is healthy. 



[]-2 WIKTNEBAGO ^OUKTV. 

The first settlement was made in this town by Jerome R. 
Hopkins, in the winter of 1848." In March following, Mr. 
Samuel Rogers removed from Walworth count}- with his fam- 
ily — parents, wife and six children; ten in all, was eleven 
clays performing the journey of 128 miles, [lis parents were 
both sick on the way but recovered soon. 

James H. Jones and several others came into Winchester 
in the spring Of 18 1-8. No roa$s or bridges: these early net- 
tiers suffered much, but; courage and perseve'rehce kept then; 
up and suppUeH their necessity, and. alter a time surrounded 
them with comforts. The first death which occurred in this 
i,own was a child of Jerome Hopkins in August L848. The 
frist sermon preached in this town was by Frederick L 'at rid ye 
in June 7, >S5<>. 

Winchester w a.- or^;uiizcd as a separate town in [8521. — 
John Anunson was elected Chairman of supervisors, which 
office he held until April 1856, when Mr. J. H. Jones was 
elected to that- office. In 185:2 S. R. Hopkins was town 
clerk. In 1 8;">:{, '5 4 A A Mr. Ole Oleson held that otHce.. In 
I 850 John II. Clark was town clerk. Farms arc now worth 
from $5 to $25 per acre. In 1855 — 1 school and 48 scholars. — 
Population, 84. 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY H'S 



GROWTH OF OSHKOSH. 

In order to enable the reader to form some just conception 
of the growth of Oshkosh, we copy an article from the Osh- 
kosh Democrat of March 2nd, 1849, which exhibits its condi- 
tion at that time. It now stands with a seven years growth 
added to its stature. 

"Oshkosh was so named in honor of Oshkosh, the principal 
Chief of the Menomonee Indians, whose lands, in and ad- 
joining our immediate neighborhood were lately purchased 
by the general Government. 

The village is located on the north side of the Neenah or 
Fox River, near its confluence with Lake Winnebago, about 
twenty miles north of Fond du Lac, and fiftv south of Green 
Bay. 

No steps were taken toward the formation of a village 
until the summer of 1846. At that time there were no dwell- 
ings except one store or trading post, owned by Mr. A. Dodge, 
and four or five farm houses withing a circuit of as many 
miles. During the summer settlers began to arrive, and 
Messrs. Wright and Jackson surveyed off" a portion of their 
lands into lots, and these met with ready sale, and almost in- 
stantaneously buildings of every grade were erected, although 
there was then the greatest difficulty in procuring the neces- 
sary materials; but the pioneers went to work with a perse- 
vering determination, hewing the whole of their frame work, 
studs, beams and rafters, from the woods, and obtaining lum- 
ber as best they could, so that in the month of September 
there was one tavern, three stores, one shoe shop, shingle 
factory, and about twenty dAvellings finished or in progress, 
and settlers were arriving every day, and most interesting 
scenes of bustling excitement and industry were to be seen at 
all times. 

Early in the winter, an addition to the village was survey- 
ed out from a purchase of Messrs. Miller and Eastman from 
Col. Conklyi of Taycheedah, and in an incredible short time, 
the whole of the principal and best lots were sold, and through 
the whole winter, building was going on lively, rafts of tim- 
ber having arrived from the Pinery before the season closed, 
but it sold at exhorbitant prices. 
H 



114 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

A new interest was given to the village while the Territo- 
rial Legislature were in session, by the passage of a bill re- 
moving the County Seat from an isolated and unsettled point 
to Oshkosh, at which the good citizens took occasion to rejoice 
liberally. 

Such was the first settlement of Oshkosh, and since that 
time its growth has exceeded the most sanguine hopes and 
expectations of every one. At the present date the village 
contains a population of 486; of which 207 are females, and 
279 males. There are six extensive dry good stores, four 
groceries, seven lawyers, two shoe shops, two taverns, one re- 
cess, one steam saw mill, one tin shop, one sash, shingle and 
furniture factory, two cabinet makers, one physician, one 
watch-maker, one gunsmith, one harness maker, three black- 
smith shops, employing eleven hands, and one newspaper es- 
tablishment. Besides these there are a good assortment of 
mechanics, and the necessary offices and county buildings, 
schools, &c, and every day witnesses the arrival of some 
one or more families, and sinee the census was taken for this 
article, several large families have come among us. It is also 
computed that not less than one hundred of our male popula- 
tion are at the present time engaged in the lumbering business 
in the pinery." 



" W E S T W A R D H G ! " 

The very general interest manifested by eastern people in 
the development of Wisconsin and the rapidity with which 
the State is increasing its population, is owing, in no small 
degree, to the fact that reliable information is becoming daily 
more and more generally diffused in regard to its salubrity of 
climate, natural advantages, internal improvements, and the 
almost magic growth of its cities, towns and villages and per- 
haps more than all the knowledge that relations, friends and 
neighbors have very generally achieved more than their most 
sanguine hopes promised them by the exchange of location. 
The emigration to Wisconsin now includes all classes of peo- 
ple. The producers, as in all new countries, were the pio- 
neers, but capitalists soon found ample room for investments, 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 115 

more remunerative than at the east and equally as safe. 
There are still thousands of persons at the east, mechanics, 
artizans, working people, who look toward the west with a 
disposition to emigrate, perhaps they mete out from year to 
year a bare subsistence, the year rolls by and if they have 
enjoyed the right to labor during the bulk of it they still 
have accumulated but little, and how common is it for a me- 
chanics in our large cities to be thrown out of work for months 
at a time, but they hesitate to take what seems an important 
«tep in their lives, not from a fear of inconveniences to be 
met or perhaps privations to be endured, these they would 
cheerfully submit to, but the uncertainty of immediate employ- 
ment; such need not be the case. The working man at the 
west need never be idle, it is pre-eminently the place for 
working people, the whole country is in a state of transition, 
rapidly going on. What has been done at the east has yet to be 
done here, the numerous channels of business, into which it 
requires years to attain a successful position at the east are 
either just opened to enterprize at the west, or await, perhaps 
another years agricultural settlement, as we chance to look at 
a point just bursting into notice, or another with a few years 
the advantage — hence the newly arrived mechanic, artizan, 
or manufacturer, asks himself, not where can I find an open- 
ing? but which is the best. It is also not uncommon, on the 
contrary, quite a common case that a person after a short res- 
idence at the west finds himself deserting the regular business 
to which he had devoted his life, and following one in which 
he sees there is more profit, readily adapting himself to the 
change as he sees other do around him, hence it is that west- 
earn people universally acquire a certain degree of self reli- 
ance, a conscious independence as to the certainty of a compe- 
tent living at least, acquired with the knowledge of the de- 
mands and ability of a new country. Persons who have 
lived at the west any length of time have none of the hesi- 
tancy about moving to a point still further in advance so often 
exhibited by eastern people. To farmers there is every in- 
ducement offered, the new counties offer lands at low prices 
to those of limited means, while those who prefer to, and are 
able, can buy second hand farms either improved or unimprov- 
ed in the older counties and have advantages which the same 
amount of capital would, utterly fail to procure at the east, it 



116 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

is this fact that induces most of the farming emigration. The 
prairies and openings of Wisconsin offer farms wild or improv- 
ed of a quality which the same moans could not purchase at 
the east, while the rapidity with which interna] improvements 
advance, approximates with each year the value of produce 
nearer the market prices of the east, and consequently gives 
an enhanced value to their farms. 

The advantage of the sure and rapid increase in the value 
of real estate is not confined to the farmer, it is shared equally 
to say the least, by all the various classes who make up the 
population of a village, town or city, and is sure to he em- 
braced in proportion to their means, first by securing a home- 
stead and afterward by judicious investments, the result of 
which is that in a few years their expectations are more than 
realized. 

No part of the State bids fairer to become important and 
populous than Winnebago County. In healthfulness it can- 
not be exceeded; for agricultural purposes it presents a happy 
combination of prairie, openings, timber and natural meadow. 
Government land it is true, cannot at this time be obtained, 
but good unimproved lands can be obtained from three to ten 
dollars per acre; land of superior quality and location being 
obtained at the latter price. Improved farms can be obtained 
of all classes, from the one just commenced with a log ot 
small frame house and perhaps a small piece of breaking fenc- 
ed — to the thoroughly improved farm, with excellent build- 
ings, orchards set out at from ten to twenty five dollars 
per acre. The water powers of Neenah, Menasha and Wau- 
kau afford abundant opportunity to the enterprizing manufac- 
turer. For purposes of inland commerce the county stands 
unrivalled in the State. On the east is Lake Winnebago, a 
beautiful sheet of water, thirty miles long by twelve broad, 
from which steamboats can pass into Lake Michigan, through 
the lower Fox and into which steamboats can pass from tho 
upper Fox or Wolf, the first in connection with the Wiscon- 
sin, affording a passage for freight from the Mississippi — the 
latter navigable for a distance of one hundred and fifty miles 
in a north-westerly direction. So extensive an inland com- 
merce as is here presented, foretells the growth of a great 
business in steamboat building, and consequently that of the 
manufacture of engines and boilers; both kinds of business 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 117 

requiring large numbers of hands, and both of which have 
already commenced to considerable an extent. The 
produce of the Wolf river pineries, although but lately notic- 
ed has hitherto been underated; it has been estimated by per- 
sons well acquainted with the business, that in logs and lum- 
ber an amount equal to not less than seventy-five millions of 
feet, of pine lumber, passed down Wolf river last year, and 
will not be less the present season; the business is increasing 
and employs a great many men and teams. It is estimated 
that the work of each ox team and the number of hands to 
employ it will clear from five to seven hundred dollars in a 
season, over expenses, although there are instances in which 
nearly double that amount has been made. The lumber 
business is a leading feature in the business of Winnebago 
county, for, although there is no pine in the county of any 
amount, its situation makes it the recipient of nearly the 
whole trade. Most of those engaged in the lumber business 
of Wolf river, are from the State of Maine, and state that 
the facility for getting logs out and running them, as superior 
to any thing in their experience. The opportunities for going 
into the business have been very favorable to poor men, and 
at the present time there is no class of people in a more thriv- 
ing condition than the lumbermen. Pine lands are now held 
at from live to ten dollars per acre, and in some instances as 
high as twenty for choice tracts. 

With the advantage offered in great water power for man- 
ufacturing; superior facilities for internal commerce, a great 
lumber trade, and the addition of an excellent farming coun- 
try around. Winnebago county needs only time to concen- 
trate within her limits a population equal to that of any in the. 
State. At this time there is therefore every inducement of- 
fered to those persons at the east who desire to emigrate and 
grow up with the country. With a combination of four of 
the great resources of a country at one point, the necessity 
of the various industrial vocations must follow in their train, 
presenting a field for individual enterprize not frequently met 
with. 



II* WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



CONCLUSION. 

The uninterrupted prosperity and success which have at- 
tended the various branches of enterprise and industry in the 
county of Winnebago, from its earliest settlement to the pres- 
ent day ; the change from an almost unbroken wilderness, to 
a rich and populous county, in the brief space of ten years, 
naturally leads the mind to contemplations of deep interest 
and inquiry, with regard to the condition which the progress- 
ive energies of the people, will in the future, work out for this 
young and promising County. 

When we reflect that the germs of the future, in latent em- 
bryo are contained in the bosom of the present ; that "to-day" 
is forever giving character and color, to the destinies of "to- 
morrow ;" we have only to examine the resources of Avealth, 
or raw material, which the County naturally presents for im- 
provement, the strength, skill, and aptitude of the people, to 
lay hold of natural advantages, and convert them to the most 
profitable form, and productive application, in order, justly to 
appreciate the energies and skill, which have been put forth 
by the early settlers in this county ; the results of which are 
so attractive to the traveler, it should be borne in mind, that 
the county of Winnebago was not settled by capitalists, bring- 
ing great funds to expend, in subduing and cultivating new 
lands; but almost exclusively by men, who were unable to 
purchase farms in the old States, whose physical and mental 
energies constituted their funded wealth. 

Men of nerve, muscle and bone, with hearts, throbbing 
with cheering hopes, and invincible determination to better 
their own conditions by improving the condition of the world, 
with heads full of that practical logic, which proves that hu- 
7nan effort, judiciously directed, and put forth as a living fiat* 
that it "shall be done," can convert waste wilderness into 
fertile fields, and all earth's treasures to the happiness of mail, 
and more than all with hands accustomed to demonstrating 
the fact. 

This was the capital invested for the settlement and im- 
provement of Winnebago County. A currency which wa* 
not subject to the fluctuations of any Stock, Exchange com- 
pany, and which could never be bought up by Stockjobber*. 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 119 

Men of independent mind and effort, whose activities were 
controlled by the dictates of their own judgement. The bo- 
som of the earth, teeming with fertility, was spread out be- 
fore them ; beneath the tough web of sward, lay one vast 
garden, pregnant with all delicious fruits; a deposite of in- 
comparably greater wealth, than all the gold mines of Cali- 
fornia. 

This capital has been active and vigorous. Its creative 
energies have brought into existence nearly all the pecuniary 
wealth of the County. 

These are here, the toilers, who have wrought this great 
work, who are now garnering rich harvests from the fields 
their hands subdued ; in the vigor of manhood, with motive 
power unabated, stored with the wisdom, and with the honors 
of past victories, in past labors, surrounded with the abun- 
dant aid which wealth brings to industry, with this increased 
ratio of power, the problem of the future destiny of Winne- 
bago County is to be worked out. 

But a small portion of the soil has yet been broken, the cul- 
tivation has been upon the principle of getting in as many 
acres as possible, with the least possible expense. The quan- 
tity of uncultivated land is so great, that none have felt the 
necessity of putting their fields in the most productive condi- 
tion, by a high state of cultivation. 

It is universally admitted, that the surest index of the pro- 
gressive energies of an agricultural community, is discovered 
kt the condition of the Roads and School Houses. 

The light of science to illuminate and invigorate the natur- 
al powers, and facilities of communication which tend to de- 
velope the social nature of man, and bring into visibility the 
varied interest, by which he is connected with the whole hu- 
man family ; as these are appreciated, cultivated and brought 
into constant use, the vital energies, the enduring strength and 
substantial wealth of a community is advanced. If we adopt 
this general rule in the County of AVinnebago, and take the 
condition of public roads and school houses, present, progres- 
sing and prospective, as a fair exponent of its vital energies, 
we know of no rural district, so thinly populated, which could 
claim 10 be its rival, and to find its equal, we should have to 
select some of the new Counties in Northern Wisconsin. 

Whatever road the traveler may select in this County, h« 



120 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 

will not progress far on his jonv\y, without having his atten- 
tion attracted by a district school house, erected upon a pleas- 
ant spot, neatly finished aiv -viinted, generally surrounded 
with shade trees and pleasant play ground, for the children. 
If he enters this little semim v, he will hod the interior ju- 
diciously and tastefully arrayed, and furnished with Black 
Boards, Maps, Charts, and th • most approved apparatus for 
aiding the pupils in their various studies. The laws of Wis- 
consin make liberal provisions for the support of Common 
Schools, and in this County they are generally well applied. 

A professional man in Wisconsin, if he has not talent, must 
at least have tact and energy, or he will have the misfortune, 
to find himself an entire failure. 

Lawyers, Doctors, and Ministers, like business men, and 
laborers at the west, must be men of energy ; determined to 
succeed, and write their name or make their mark on society 
by manly effort, or success is not for them. 

This county has not suffered as much as many others from 
the withering curse of land monopoly. Resident land hold- 
ers have, generally, with a wise liberality, offered good induce- 
ments to the various branches of industry and useful talent, 
which no sham aristocracy could ever control. Few places 
can boast a larger share of industry, intelligence and inde- 
pendence, than the comity of Winnebago. 

The laborer does not disgrace his high and noble calling, 
by a mean servility to the man of wealth: but inspired with 
an elevating consciousness, that he is one of the world's con- 
querors, and benefactors, he stands with head erect, among 
bis peers. 

If the exertions, the never ceasing activities of the people 
of Winnebago, arc wis dy and judiciously directed, a brilliant 
destiny awaits them. The Great Proprietor of all things, 
has dealt with a bouffitiful hand in bestowing a treasure of 
enduring wealth, in ic fertility of the soil. Surrounded 
it with all the natur; ■ nveniences and facilities for social in- 
tercourse, with all oth- parts of the country. Stored it with 
springs, streams, and four tains of the purest liquid that Heav- 
en's mercy furnishes for Earth's necessity; and furnished it 
with innumerable perennial beauties, of which the Maker 
himself, could say, "Behold: They are very good," 



